Gay Marriage

To whom it may concern,

Gay marriage is one of those issues that seems to lie under the surface of public consciousness, waiting for its day either in court, the next State ballot measure, or during elections. I can understand how some people find being gay and homosexual activity abhorrent. As a heterosexual, I truly do not understand it either. But that does not give me the right to prevent someone from their pursuit of happiness. This country was founded on the concept of individual liberty, and to limit someone’s freedom, especially when it involves a couples love and commitment, seems very un-American. While some States allow gay marriage, and others have outright banned the practice, the federal government must take action. As the issue expands across the country, it does take on national implications. If anything, traveling to one state from another to be married must relate to the federal government’s authority to regulate inter-state commerce. Additionally, it appears imminent that the federal government should object to any State writing discrimination into their Constitution. It is illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation, and marriage very much fits into the Constitution’s pursuit of happiness clause. Marriage is traditionally the union of a man and a woman for the purpose of reproduction. This very narrow definition should remain, but other definitions should be created. Only marriage, common law marriage, and civil unions with their corresponding rights and privileges exist in the United State. Perhaps we should look to Europe, where several countries have up to 15 legally defined levels of commitment. With all that said, I remain bewildered why anyone who is not gay even really cares about this issue. Does this administration favor federal legislation to support equal rights for gays, will you leave it to the States to decide one by one, and/or would you support the expansion of the number and types of commitment?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP