Bennett on the Nature of Sexuality and Marriage

After reading William J. Bennett’s “What Nature Joins Let No Gays Put Asunder” (Commentary, Oct. 17), in which he makes such a point of the natural purpose of sexual union between a man and a woman, I was moved to remember Shakespeare: “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.”

I am fortunate to have been married for 20 years, and find that the marriage of minds Shakespeare celebrates is the more important ingredient. Where love conflicts with traditional sexual roles, I cast my vote for love. I do not understand the argument that allowing others to be married weakens my marriage in particular or the institution of marriage in general, even when some people choose unions I would not consider for myself.

Ernesto Gomez

Crestline

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Human sexuality is far more complex than Bennett seems to be able to understand, although for all of us who are gay, it is a simple matter that we were born attracted to people of our own gender. So to live a lie and pretend to be heterosexual, we not only violate our own humanness but also hurt those we try to be straight with.

Human sexuality is a natural drive to bond adults together, as well as produce children. In his infinite wisdom God made humans capable of responding to life in a number of ways. If Bennett could take time to listen to himself, he might recognize how a life of deceit can be harmful to those in his own life.

Dan Gumbleton

Pasadena

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Will someone please tell the withered and ridiculous Bennett to get back to his slot machines and stop trying to dictate his own flawed morality to the rest of the world? Gay people don’t want to “redefine” marriage; they want to participate. Gay people just can’t win with the family-values crowd. If they’re promiscuous and freewheeling, they’re condemned as hedonists. If they want to settle down and nest (parroting a non-gay lifestyle), they’re condemned for destroying marriage. Sheesh.

People like Bennett know that they can muster lots of political support for their born-again commander in chief if they stir panic about evil gays trying to ruin marriage. That’s what’s behind President Bush’s “Marriage Protection Week.” It’s not about morality; it’s about votes.

Tim Bryant

West Hollywood

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Bennett views marriage primarily as a sexual relationship while, in fact, it is a legal relationship offering protections to the participants. The U.S. should follow the example of many other countries and separate the religious and legal aspects of marriage. Marriage should be a civil union performed before a judge or other government representative. Those who wish to sanctify the union can then have a religious ceremony. Our present system of allowing religious leaders to act as agents of the government has confused the perception of marriage.

Bob Marlin

Los Angeles

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Bennett is absolutely correct in his assertion that homosexuality has no place in marriage. The rise of homosexuality is a phenomenon fed by this “do whatever feels good” age, combined with the liberal garbage Hollywood and television force-feed the populace. With everything on television being sexually themed, are we surprised? This country’s moral compass is now upside down as we slip further and further into decay and acceptance of previously immoral actions and behaviors. God said homosexuality is an “abomination” and, for me, that is the bottom line.

Gregg Freeman

Simi Valley

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Numerous studies show that the rates of divorce, domestic violence and child abuse, homelessness, bankruptcy, suicide and many other ills are significantly higher in families of gambling addicts. Having lost a reported $8 million to his own gambling addiction, it would appear that Bennett is highly qualified to exhort people to avoid gambling lest they destroy their marriages, lives or professional reputations. But beyond that, he’s just another right-wing gasbag trying to preach a hypocritical “morality” to others.

Jeff Nelson

Chatsworth