The Rev. Douglas Taylor’s letter of April 6 had some important points, but it missed the big one.
Like him, I agree that the current struggles for gay rights are not the same as the civil rights movement for African-American rights. Also like the Rev. Taylor, I believe that everyone faces discrimination of some kind. It is human nature for people to judge others on the basis of many things, including how they look, how they talk, and who they associate with. However, even if individuals, for better or for worse, make such superficial judgments, it is not acceptable for governments to do so.
Gay people do not seek “special privileges,” as the Rev. Taylor alleges. They seek the same privileges he enjoys — the right to have a marriage recognized by the state.
Now, I realize that the Rev. Taylor would refuse to consecrate a union between two men or two women. It is his and any religious group’s right to define their sacraments. Such religious considerations, however, have no bearing on state regulations and licensing.
If we all seek a just society, and a just society seeks equality under the law for individuals, it is only right that such equality include choice of spouse, too.
Joseph Hall, Auburn