LETTER: Marriage is simply a union

Editor,

The worst part of Westbroek’s blatant attack on gay rights was his strategy of forcing watered-down rhetoric on readers as facts. The first was that it’s gays who are pushing the issue into the political spotlight.

Ironic, since it’s the right-wing crowd writing the articles and trying to change the constitution. And even so, when a group of people who constitutes 11 percent of the population feels their rights are being violated, they have the right to be proactive.

Second, the sole purpose of marriage is not procreation for all people, and by saying so, that proves his allegiance to a religious view Westbroek said was irrelevant in this debate.

He is bringing religion into the debate when you say our right to marry is based on our power of procreation, which automatically excludes couples who are either unable or choose not to have children from this narrow view of marriage. Marriage is simply a union. The sorry rhetoric proves nothing more than that he hates gays.

When blacks wanted civil rights, it was said they were too defiant. When women wanted the right to vote, people said they didn’t “know their place.” Most of us living in the 21st century think back and realize how ludicrous it was that they were even issues. Now, when conservatives say gays are flaunting their sexuality (which isn’t “chosen” as Westbrook said, but innate), or are not deserved of the same right to marry, it’s simply another way that demonstrates how the right is wrong.

I’d like to encourage other straight-supporters of gay rights to stand up and say something on behalf of gays, who shouldn’t have to go the fight against bigotry alone.

Kellie Thorne