Letter: Same-sex marriage an equal rights issue

This is from the Reflector Greenville's Newspaper

Thursday, August 27, 2009

My concern on the same-sex marriage issue is the separation of church and state. Whether a religion allows or disallows same-sex marriage in the realm of its religious authority is appropriate. However, the states' laws, including those on marriage, should be based on the rights of and fairness to all citizens without consideration for any lawmaker's religious affiliation or beliefs.

To address a comment in the Aug. 3 Public Forum about the unfairness if same-sex marriage is legalized and the fact that common-law marriage is not recognized in North Carolina, that brings up a good point.

Cohabitating heterosexual couples who have not married are making that choice. Same-sex partners don't have that same choice.

It perplexes me that many people seem obsessed with the sex lives of others who they perceive to be homosexual. I say, “It's none of your business.” Gay people are not to be pitied, rescued or cured. Homosexuality is not a disease or a choice, and sexual orientation is not a so-called “lifestyle.” Simply put, sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual) is just one part of who we are.

Some people may be surprised to know that gay people live what most of us would consider normal lives. What's unfair is that many must vigilantly hide their private lives for fear of job loss, discrimination, being shunned or even being physically harmed.

For those who choose to be judgmental and to quote the Bible, the Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 Public Forum letters are well stated. Bravo.

Two consenting adults who love each other and who commit to a life together should have the right to a legal marriage with all the same benefits and responsibilities of that contract. Equal rights is indeed the issue.

ANN ECKERe_SFlbWinterville

Please goto this site and leave you comments..