I am outraged by the disrespect shown "No on 1" voters by the editorial staff of the Sun Journal. The description of the defeat of Question 1 as "torpedoed" by Maine voters was not only juvenile and unprofessional, but also exceedingly insulting to the 48 percent of voters who voted to preserve marriage equality.

How dare you belittle our substantial opinion? I expect professional journalists to set an example for the rest of us and fulfill their obligation to report news in an unbiased manner.

The Sun Journal policy requires letters to the editors to include name and town, while the editorial board hides behind a curtain of anonymity. Is the editorial of Nov. 1 truly a consensus of the entire editorial board?

I, too, would be ashamed to put my name to such a biased and ill-researched message.

Webster's definition of democracy includes "the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges." That means history and tradition are not acceptable excuses to deny anyone equal status or benefits under the law. The U.S. Supreme Court has already struck down "separate but equal" as unconstitutional. Any attempt to recreate such a system is rightfully doomed to fail.

Surprisingly, I do agree with the last sentence of the editorial on Nov. 5. "The repeal of same-sex marriage should not hinder further progress toward doing what is right and just — that is, treating all citizens equally under the law."

That will be accomplished only when full marriage equality is re-established.

Martha D. Palmer, Lisbon Falls

Co-president, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Guys (PFLAG), Portland