Editor,
Gay marriage is one of the hot topics this election. There are three states this year that have measures to ban gay marriage: California, Florida and Arizona. Currently, 26 states ban gay marriage - a truly sad state of affairs that creates unequal citizenships.
Opponents of gay marriage cite biblical passages and that homosexuality is a disease. The truth is the Bible is being used, as it has before against women and blacks, to attack a group of people. Same-sex attraction is not a disease and cannot be cured, and this view is supported by the American Psychological Association among other leading mental health associations.
What does this mean for America? If these bans continue across the U.S., it ushers in an age where the government can discriminate against whomever it pleases. The argument here would be that gays are trying to achieve more rights than straight citizens, but when job discrimination occurs, hate crimes committed and marriage denied, how can this be classified as anything other than the creation of second-class citizens?
As Americans, we need to protect the rights of all, not just religious sects trying to impose morality upon the nation. Remember the separation of church and state, and it becomes clear that this attack is an attack of religious values.
This is not to say that all people with faith oppose gay marriage. That is not the truth, but they number in the minority, and the attacks of religion support only violence and hate against people. So support equal rights, support an America where everyone is equal and support your own rights to live and love whom you chose.
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Andrew Turner
UNM student
