Be on the right side of history

I would like to respond to Mr. Jim Finnegan’s letter of March 19 opposing same-sex marriage. I do not wish to attack Mr. Finnegan personally. He is within his right to express his opinion, and I respect that. I accept that, at this point, we will never agree on the subject of marriage equality. My opinion is that Mr. Finnegan’s conclusions are based on the false premise that homosexuality is a chosen behavior and consequently, must be an immoral choice.

Sexual orientation is not chosen. It is wired into a person’s being from the beginning like eye or skin color. Choice is not a factor in the equation. Because it is a part of a person’s makeup, that person’s rights to happiness, freedom and civil rights should be guaranteed in the American Constitution, religious viewpoints aside. Anything less is discrimination toward someone because of who he or she truly is.

Readers, please be on the right side of history. Support the basic civil rights of all Americans. Will my 33-year marriage be threatened? No, I believe it will be enhanced, as my children have grown up to know it is unjust to discriminate against someone because of who they truly are.

Louis S. Guagenti

Arlington Heights