“Freedom” and “democracy” were words repeated over and over in President Bush’s inauguration speech to the United States and the world. Yet, this president wants to deny the gay American population the same rights that all heterosexuals enjoy: the freedom to be proud Americans.

Bush should take the time to walk in Mary Cheney’s shoes and see how much freedom she has.

During the election debates, both John Edwards and John Kerry spoke about Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter. Then, all hell broke loose. How dare they bring our daughter’s name up, cried the Cheneys. Even the sister said her piece. But not once was the affected party, Mary, allowed to make a statement.

This is what the moral majority wants from the gay community: silence. To them, gays are perverts and sinners. But gays want the same freedom that others have to get married and enjoy sinless sexual encounters. Married couples are not perverts. They have the blessings of church and state to be sexually active.

Now is the time to grant gays that freedom. Grant gays a legalized marriage license. Only then will all Americans be truly living in a free, democratic country.

Rolande I. Caron, South Paris