True America needs to stand up
In response to George Kocan's Nov. 20 Fence Post letter entitled “Endorsement of civil unions flawed,” I have to take an opposing view that civil unions are not flawed, but should be for all. The letter states that civil unions would grant privileges to homosexuals. Actually they would grant basic rights that, for now, only married couples have. We are talking about rights, and rights are not “privileges.”
Civil unions are not flawed; marriage is flawed. Marriage should be a religious/church option and should not, in any way, be connected to civil rights. It should be an individual couple's choice to have a marriage ceremony or not participate in any religious ceremony at all.
The only similarity between rights and religion is that they both begin with the letter “R.” Rights are granted to all, and marriage (religion) should not be written about in the same sentence.
A serious flaw in the letter is that “married couples commit themselves to raising children” and that is why only married couples need rights. The truth is, not all married couples want children. Unmarried heterosexual couples raise children as well as homosexual couples. Civil rights include laws pertaining to insurance coverage, hospital visitation and transfer of assets, affecting couples with or without children.
I live in an America of diversity where people from many countries, with different religions, different sexual orientations and political stances live in harmony. I see a country where all people are valued. Mr. Kocan must live in a different America. He has taken the liberty to make serious judgments against an entire population.
The true America needs to stand up. Will it be my America based on tolerance, freedom and equal rights for all or Mr. Kocan's America filled with serious prejudice and discrimination?
Cheryle Ruceis
Glen Ellyn