In regards to the upcoming so-called gay rights referendum, I hear the opponents using labels like “abnormal” and proudly displaying slogans such as “Marriage Equals One Man + One Woman.” The implication that I find most disturbing is that there is a Christian mandate for mortals to put to popular vote which of God’s creations are worthy and which are not. I was under the impression that the instruction was simply to “love thy neighbor” and to leave the judging to our maker.

The gay rights law was passed by legislators who debated the issues and chose to do the decent thing for a minority group. A society that demands to see women caged, raped, abused and murdered on prime-time TV should not be left to decide by majority vote who has rights and who doesn’t.

I wonder how many gay individuals or couples the opponents actually know. I know several and have for 30 years. Among them are some of the gentlest, kindest and most intelligent people on Earth.

It is my belief that the gay community is no threat to society, but ignorance and hatred are.

Becky Myers, Turner