Gay rights group stands on principle

May 15, 2008

Shannon E. Avery takes Equality Maryland to task for failing to be pragmatic in the fight for same-sex marriage ("Gay rights still stuck at impasse," letters, May 9).

Apparently, standing on one's dignity and asking that the law be changed so that the basic human right to marry be accorded to everyone equally is, for her, a pie-in-the-sky idea.

But every fight for human rights starts with someone asking that his or her basic human dignity be recognized and protected.

And I think settling for civil unions, when same-sex marriage carries with it the implicit recognition of the dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, would be selling out. Frankly, it would likely harm the cause of same-sex marriage in the long run.

The great human rights activists have always recognized that their cause represents a moral imperative, and proceeded accordingly.

Bravo to Equality Maryland for continuing in this tradition and for taking the high road.

Sue Keller

Finksburg

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