One of the issues getting much attention in our state recently is the defense of marriage amendment. I see this as a question of equal rights and justice. This amendment would abridge the rights and be an injustice to people who are gay or lesbian.
I do not feel that my marriage of 46 years is endangered in any way by the existence of single-sex couples. I do feel endangered by people who seek to abridge the rights of fellow citizens.
Our United States and state constitutions are frameworks of provisions that spell out the powers and limits of our government. They are in place to assure the rights of citizens -- not deny them. Amendments have been added to reinforce these rights, but none that eliminate them.
It concerns me that some people feel they have the moral prerogative to enact legislation that would adversely affect the rights of people who are "different" from themselves. People who are gay do not choose to be so. To remove some of their civil rights because they are is an injustice, and only adds hurt and insult to this situation.
Karen Westby
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Willmar
