Let's openly discuss issue of gay rights
Mr. Emmit Lehman wrote an opinion piece entitled "Some thoughts on same-sex marriage" (June 2) that I have some thoughts on. As a straight woman, an ally to the gay community and an advocate to human rights, I am happy to have this opportunity to have a discussion about this relevant issue.
I believe I understand the argument that Mr. Lehman is forming and I find it dangerous when a citizen's rights, at a state and federal level are in threat of being restricted. Laws have always been made to uphold and expand the rights of citizens and anytime the legal system has failed us in that respect, it has found its voice and realized that "all men are created equal" is more than words-it's law, it's a promise.
Phrases like the "normalization of homosexuality" leads me to a conclusion of fear, and as society has seen in the past, fearing "the other" has led us to many acts that humanity is ashamed of, acts that still go on in this world.
Throughout Mr. Lehman's article I find myself confused by blanket statements. Mr. Lehman says "politicians ignore the costs imposed upon society by homosexuality" and references a report from the Georgia Family Council. Having read the report, it does say that the divorce rate and single parent households have risen from 1970-2005. However, during this period of time same-sex marriage has been illegal in the United States. It is blatantly apparent that heterosexual marriage has thus added to "these costs imposed upon society" that Mr. Lehman addresses.
And, can I ask, which American doesn't want the right to legal and medical benefits--rights that are ensured to us by our country's constitution. The gay community isn't asking for approval to their lifestyle, they don't need that to live quality lives, they need the rights that have been established for them. What does it mean when more than 1,000 laws award rights to married couples, yet we are denying the legal right of marriage to large portion of the population? Mr. Lehman argues against these rights by saying there are "very high medical costs associated with homosexual activity." I know that this loaded statement is saying that HIV and AIDS are the result of homosexual activity. But surprisingly enough, homosexual people need to go to the dentist and sometimes get cancer, or even perhaps develop the flu-and need medical coverage, like all Americans should be entitled to.
I would like to write this letter as a way to open up the public discourse about this issue, in a way that is not accusatory and stalemated by blanket statements. This is an optimistic ideal -- but I think that the more these two opposing viewpoints can listen to one another's arguments, the easier it becomes to talk about the issues. I did read your words Mr. Lehman, and I have responded to them (with the advice of my friends) to the best of my ability. Now, let's have a conversation about the issue.
Amanda Dunne
Gages Lake