Civil marriage is about equality

Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s recent column about gay marriage ("Drawing a line at same-sex marriage," April 15) is rife with contradictions. For starters, he says that a ballot initiative opposing gay marriage will be supported by a coalition of religious groups and social conservatives. He then dismisses the notion that opposition to gay marriages isn't discriminatory or fueled by religious intolerance. He rationalizes his position by saying he endured the slings and arrows of outrage from social conservatives and religious groups. And why would conservatives attack one of their own? For the sin of appointing gays to serve in public office. As an aside, Mr. Ehrlich's column sounds more than a little bit like an apology to them. But the column is more than just a letter of contrition, it's a rehash of hackneyed and largely-discredited ideas.

April 17, 2012