Letter on Gay Marriage

Amesh Adalja published an excellent letter in support of gay marriage in the Pittsburgh City Paper last week.

The sorry state of affairs with respect to same-sex marriage in this nation--and especially this state--should be an affront to all those who cherish the protections of individual rights. Marriage is a contractual relationship between consenting individuals that has a romantic character--the sex of the individuals is not essential to the concept. As former Vice President Dick Cheney stated, "people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish." It is embarrassing that in the state that houses the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Gettysburg battlefield that same-sex couples have to travel outside this former citadel of liberty to exercise their inalienable right to marry. Those that advocate that the government forcibly prevent this voluntary contractual agreement between consenting parties are advocating--in essence--for the abrogation of their individual rights. Expanding the concept of marriage to same-sex relationships will not affect anyone but those that cling to religious proscriptions for behavior--a segment of the population whose theocratic position is irrelevant.

Amesh Adalja
Butler, PA

Emphasis added, because I could not agree more!