Gay marriage is a state issue

Please, Mr. Finnegan, read the opinions of the Supreme Court of Iowa and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts before commenting and providing misleading information to the public. To begin, the federal Constitution was not considered when the above cases were decided because a federal question was not raised in either of the petitions. In order to have the U.S. Constitution considered in a state case, a federal question must be raised by the parties in their initial briefs to their state courts.

Neither the Iowa nor Massachusetts constitutions say anything about marriage; however, both state constitutions have equal protection clauses that the courts took into heavy consideration. After careful analysis they found that its citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, are entitled to the equal rights and privileges provided by their state marriage statutes.

Same sex marriage will not stop straight couples from marrying and having children. So rest assured, Mr. Finnegan, that your vision for what you perceive as the optimum family unit will continue to exist.

The gay and lesbian community is not out to demonize anyone. What they merely seek is the equal rights and protections afforded to straight couples. After all, their hard-earned tax dollars - just like yours - go into supporting infrastructures such as schools, police departments and public libraries. Just like you, Mr. Finnegan, they desire the same legal protections that perhaps you may have taken for granted.

Linda Mindock

Crystal Lake