Mormons and Gay Marriage
Lynn D. Wardle is correct that the Mormon Church may participate in supporting or opposing an initiative (Column Right, July 15). Churches and other nonprofit organizations have a well-established right to participate in the political process within clearly spelled-out parameters. But it is important for Californians to understand what forces are behind the anti-gay Knight initiative. The Mormon Church contributed 40% of the funds in recent marriage-discrimination initiatives in other states.
Do Californians want the Mormon Church and other very conservative religious groups to set the agenda for our state’s family law, treatment of women and civil rights policies? The church should not be silenced but neither should its activities go unreported.
CHRISTOPHER CALHOUN
Public Policy Advocate
L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center
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My partner of eight years and I don’t want the right to marry “because we’re attracted to each other.” We want the right to marry because we have made a lifelong, committed covenant with each other before God and are raising an adopted child who would best be protected by the same civil (legal) rights afforded opposite-sex family units. The “holy” or religious aspect of marriage in our lives took place years ago in a private commitment ceremony.
Since when is marriage a “carefully regulated status”? I can go out tomorrow, pick up a hooker and legally marry her the following weekend, then divorce her and remarry next month. All the while receiving the full rights of marriage that my partner and I now cannot enjoy. I have yet to see how legalizing my same-sex marriage will “damage the institution of marriage, sow confusion and wreak social distress.”
KEVIN KIRBY
Las Flores
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By suggesting that same-sex unions are based only on physical attraction and by insinuating that same-sex marriages would lead to brothers marrying sisters, Wardle forfeits his credibility. Like Mormon marriages, same-sex unions are based on trust, commitment, caring, joy and love in addition to, but not contingent upon, physical attraction. Ask any same-sex couple who have been together 20, 30 or more years.
RICHARD WIGHT
Los Angeles
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Wardle mixes apples and oranges when claiming the Mormon Church should be allowed to speak out against same-sex unions while maintaining its tax-free status. If this debate were purely a moral one and not a matter of legislation, then Wardle would be correct. But no tax-free institution is allowed to engage in political debate. Wardle could advocate that all laws relating to marriage be repealed, thus restoring the debate to the moral ground where it belongs.
ALEC FRANK
Playa del Rey