Gay marriage ban violates equal rights and encourages division

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to Stephen Ontko’s column in yesterday’s Stater in which he states that the passage of California’s Proposition 8, which overruled a California Supreme Court decision that legalized homosexual marriage, was a victory for Republicans. How anyone can declare the segregation of a group of people as a victory, especially in our country, with our history, is not only beyond my comprehension, it is also offensive.

In the article, Mr. Ontko argues that the ban of homosexual marriage in California is not only justified, but it will improve our society because “laws are enacted to promote moral standards in society that help its citizens become better people.” He continues by saying that “most common people would prohibit murder for much the same reason.”

Did you really just compare homosexual marriage to murder, Mr. Ontko? Really?

Mr. Ontko goes on to argue that by banning homosexual marriage we are preserving our society, a society in which a man marries a woman. He argues that because only a man and a woman can reproduce together, upholding traditional marriage “promotes societal well-being and provid[es] example for the youth.”

An example of what, Mr. Ontko? Prejudice? Segregation? Our children deserve better. This is about more than whether or not you believe that homosexuality is biological or a choice. This is about having common decency and showing respect to your fellow human beings. What in the world could possibly be a better message to pass down through future generations? We, as human beings, must love and accept each other and embrace other’s differences, not condemn them.

Would anyone in today’s world consider, even for a second, a ban on marriage between Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino-Americans, or Americans of different ethnicities? No. Then why ban marriage between gay Americans or lesbian Americans? As Barack Obama continually pointed out during his campaign, “We are all Americans.” We all deserve better.

– Mike Bitta,

senior psychology major