Archive for Sunday, January 30, 2005

Marriage benefits

January 30, 2005

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To the editor:

In a Jan. 27 letter, Kale Woods asks for "sound, logical" reasons why same-sex marriage would benefit society. This is a fair question, and I would like to answer it.

To put it succinctly, same-sex marriage benefits society the same way opposite-sex marriage has benefited society: by providing a stable public legal framework for the lifelong commitment of two adults. Studies have shown that married people tend to be happier and live longer and are less drain on the public coffers. Married couples are more likely to own a home, and make an investment in their communities.

Furthermore, married people are less likely to require public assistance or welfare. The legal protections of marriage also help provide children with a stable environment (yes, gay couples have kids too!). There is also the matter of justice; the injustice of denying marriage to these committed couples is a stain on all of us as Americans.

Stepping back, we need to look at "the big picture." There are thousands of committed couples who meet all the qualifications for marriage and whose marriages would greatly benefit their families and society as a whole. Why are they not allowed entry?

Mike Silverman,

Lawrence

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