Gay Marriage Issue Is About Equality
Kudos to San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer for having the integrity and courage to rule that barring same-sex couples from the many rights connected to marriage is discriminatory (“Judge Rules State Can’t Bar Gay Marriage,” March 15). The issue is not gay marriage; rather it is about equal rights. One of the main intentions of the U.S. and California constitutions is to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority. I am alarmed that so many people seem to persist in believing that “separate can be equal.” California has traditionally been a front-runner in dismantling discrimination. I certainly hope we will not regress by giving in to irrationally reactive opponents of equal rights. To do so would be nothing short of bigotry.
Dale Palmer
Altadena
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Marriage as an institution was developed by early civilizations when they recognized that it was beneficial in helping children grow to maturity -- a necessity for the continuation of the society. Over time, custom and, later, legislation provided married persons with certain privileges and obligations. In every case, the societies and/or the legislators that created these rights believed that marriage referred to heterosexual unions. Perhaps parties to nontraditional unions deserve some of the same rights and obligations as married people. If so, they should go for laws providing them. It is dishonest to attempt to get these rights by trying to change the definition of marriage as it was understood when these rights were created.
William Bunyan
Venice
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Where in the Constitution or Bill of Rights does it say that heterosexuals have the right to decide how gay men and women should live? The inclusion of gay men and women in marriage holds them to equal standards, not separate ones. We as a democracy should applaud Judge Kramer’s decision as one that respects fairness for all.
Regan DuCasse
North Hollywood
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Judge Kramer’s decision is anti-democratic. In a democracy, these kinds of decisions should be debated, and ultimately voted upon, by the people and their elected officials. I believe the people can be trusted to make the right decision, even if it does take some time and debate.
Thomas Roerich
Oxnard