Public Policy on Gays and Lesbians
In “Religion Has No Corner on Morality,” David Link (Commentary, Sept. 15) has contributed a cogent logical argument for equal treatment of gays and lesbians in our society. Codifying religious dogma in a country made up of a broad range of religious and non-religious interests is not in the best interests of democracy. The United States was founded on the belief that all men are created equal and have certain unalienable rights.
It is a shame that in this nation--which endorses no official religion and is not a religious state as is Vatican City--there are people poised to legislate the rights if not the lives of gays and lesbians out of existence.
For his part, Weigel has shed new light on the Vatican advisory’s message of tolerance, but he misses the obvious moral bankruptcy of the public policy argument. Stigmatized and suspect by virtue of who we are, gays and lesbians are being denied opportunities all others can take for granted. How can we live in dignity when we are considered inferior or dangerous for certain jobs or rights? It is a tragedy that in America so many view our pursuit of life, happiness, liberty and property as less appropriate or important than their own.
WILLIAM A. RUIZ
Silver Lake
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
