CNHI
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 —
In the Aug. 19 issue of The Stanly News & Press, columnist Stephanie Salter advocates allowing same-sex marriage based on the contention that not doing so violates the “equal protection clause” of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
First of all, where is the discrimination? Under current law any person, whether heterosexual or homosexual, can marry a person of the opposite sex, whether that person is heterosexual or homosexual. Granted, because of their sexual orientation, homosexuals are not likely to exercise this right, but the right exists and applies equally to everyone, nonetheless.
Secondly, if you accept the notion that homosexuals are being deprived of their Fourteenth Amendment rights, then what about others who are being “deprived”?
For instance, should the law not allow siblings to marry, whether heterosexual or homosexual? Should a parent not be allowed to marry his or her own child, provided the child has reached the age of consent?
What about pologamy? If 14 people, heterosexual, homosexual, bi-sexual or whatever, want to enter into a communal “marriage,” should they not be allowed to do so?
Of course, all of these scenarios are totally ridiculous and so is the very idea of same-sex marriage.
David Almond
Stanfield
