I am writing in response to Steve Altick’s letter (“Retain meaning of marriage”, Reporter, Sept. 21) concerning Referendum 74; the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Mr. Altick states that the issue is about a definition of marriage that has “stood the test of time” and is not about rights because “gay couples have already achieved the basic rights and have not been discriminated against.”
I respectfully disagree. I would argue that any couple who desires marriage does so for very similar reasons, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. We all want to celebrate our commitment to the one we love. However, when one group of people gainS “rights” (benefits such as child custody, medical decision-making power, access to family insurance policies, inheritance, etc.) through marriage while another group is denied those same rights and benefits based solely on sexual orientation, that is the very definition of discrimination.
Voting against Referendum 74 is voting to support this kind of discrimination.
It would be nice if those who profess to value marriage so much would stop being insecure about their own marriages being threatened and would instead be generous in sharing the joy of marriage with others who desire it also.
I think marriage is great. Therefore, I’m voting for Referendum 74.
– Jeff Friend
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