Which Laws Define the Basis for Same-Sex Marriage?

Many people say that homosexuality is against the laws of nature and God. Does this mean that they have a direct line to the understanding of the complexities of the ways of God and nature?

I am a homosexual. I am created by God and nature. I cannot begin to comprehend why; I just know I am. Those people who feel their beliefs entitle them to take away my equal rights have crossed the line from smugness to tyranny.

Ted Tudisco

Rancho Mirage

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Re “Governor Says Law Permitting Gay Marriage Would Be ‘Fine,’ ” March 2:

I think Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken the correct position on the gay marriage situation in California. Instead of overreacting and trying to impact the events personally, as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and other government officials in various parts of the country have done by ignoring laws banning gay marriage, Schwarzenegger has stated that he will let the courts or the citizens of California decide the fate of gay marriage in the state.

He is doing the right thing by following current law enacted by the people of California, which specifically states that marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman. Newsom and other activists should follow Schwarzenegger’s lead and follow the law instead of breaking it.

Sedrick Walker

College Station, Texas

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Barely a week after President Bush calls for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Schwarzenegger chides him by saying those issues are best left to the states, adding that a California law allowing same-sex marriages would be “fine” with him.

Maybe there’s hope for the Republican Party yet.

George M. Mood

Los Angeles

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People who support marriage for homosexuals seem to have overlooked a serious problem. If the government allows marriage for homosexuals for the purpose of preventing discrimination, then it will have no moral, social or logical basis to deny anyone from marrying any other person or groups of persons. The argument of discrimination can be raised by anyone.

The foundation for heterosexual marriage is backed up by the Bible, thousands of years of human experience, myriad human cultures and nature, to name a few things. Homosexual marriage cannot be backed up by any of these things.

When society says yes to homosexual marriage, there is no solid way to say no to any other form of marriage.

Douglas H. Berry

Orange

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It’s good to see that the U.S. Senate will take action to stop this building wave of equality and tolerance before it engulfs the nation (“Same-Sex Couples Marry in Oregon as Clash Widens,” March 4).

Gary R. O’Keefe

Los Angeles

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I’ve been paying alimony for 32 years. I don’t think my gay and lesbian friends should be denied this privilege.

Norman Moltar

Marina del Rey