It is so hard to read and hear the vehement attacks from those who wish to deny me the right to have my marriage to my wonderful wife of 5 1/2 years to be recognized by the state. I can no longer stand in silence and allow this ignorant rhetoric to go unchallenged.
Our marriage is not harmful to our children. However, the fact that the state denies us the protections that civil marriage offers is actually what is harmful to them. My marriage is not a threat to "traditional marriage." If people are looking for someone to blame for the astounding divorce rate in this country then perhaps they should evaluate their own marriages.
And as for the argument that allowing same-sex couples to marry is against God's will — there is no uniformity of opinion on this belief. Some churches may not wish to officiate a marriage for same-sex couples, but my church does, and at this time they are not permitted to do so.
As long as I go to work 40 hours a week, own a home, pay all of my bills on time, pay taxes, raise my children, attend church and, of course, support the Ravens and Orioles, shouldn't that be enough for the great state of Maryland to consider me an equal citizen under the law?
Shannon Lowe, Perry Hall