I have had more than enough of the ridiculous opinions as to why gays and lesbians should not be allowed to marry in Maryland, but Thomas M. Crawford's nonsensical letter ("Marriage requires couples to meet the requirements," Letters, Feb. 2) takes the cake.
It is beyond belief How Mr. Crawford seems to think that the laws are fine since "any homosexual man can apply for a license to marry a woman, and any lesbian can apply for a license to marry a man." Obviously no gay man would marry a woman, and no lesbian would marry a man, and the only reason gays and lesbians can't marry people of their own sex is that the law in the "Free State" won't allow it. Laws are often old, antiquated and discriminatory and need to be changed. It was not too long ago in Maryland that inter-racial marriage was against the law. At one time only whites could vote, etc.
Mr. Crawford does what so many who hate gays and lesbians do....simply make things up. I would invite him to prove his comment that "The entirety of recorded human history has consistently, repeatedly and invariably shown homosexual behavior to be harmful to both homosexuals and society at large." Gays and lesbians contribute to society like anyone else and their "behavior" is who they are, not something they decided to do to annoy homophobes and face violence and hate their entire lives.
I invite those who hate gays and gay marriage to: 1. Get over it; and 2. Avoid marrying someone of your own sex. Otherwise please inform me how a man who loves another man or a woman who loves another woman getting married exactly effects your life? How about worrying about real issues like hunger and poverty in our state and putting away your hate and bigotry? For those who are so concerned about the "sanctity of marriage," how about concentrating on the over 50 percent of straight marriages that end in divorce?
The time is now for marriage equality in Maryland. There is no valid or sensible reason to continue to deny equal marriage rights to all Marylanders of legal age whether their are straight or gay.
Eric Crossley
Laurel