Reader's view: Gay men will be healthier without right to marry

I am gay, and I am voting “yes” on the marriage amendment. The lifespan of gay men is 20 years shorter than straight men. HIV among young gay men is on an incline. Gays are dying across this state. We need to fix these problems, not pass out marriage licenses and adoption entitlements.

Activists blame discrimination, but lesbians get the same discrimination as gay men yet are much healthier. And GLBT health problems have worsened where gay marriage is law. Gay activist Simon Fanshawe was disowned by the gay community for saying so in his BBC documentary, “The Trouble with Gay Men.”

Suicide rates, mental illnesses, addiction and dangerous sexual practices continue to increase while only 5 percent of GLBT-

identified individuals pursue long-term, monogamous relationships. Gay activist Andrew Sullivan even has said gays are equitably treated and should stop playing the victim.

Removing homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders was not done because of science but political pressure, as most activists are proud to admit.

My life was saved by people who cared enough to tell me the bitter truth: Homosexual behavior, not an oppressive society, was killing me. I’ve been happier ever since. I’m glad for healthy gay people who have strong relationships, but we can’t base public policy on anecdotal evidence.

Minnesota’s marriage amendment won’t ban gay people from having relationships. The Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence vs. Texas already ensures this right. It wouldn’t ban gay couples from contracting legally for most marriage benefits or civil unions, but it would prevent activist judges from equivocating homosexuality and heterosexuality in state law. Saying that male and female equals male and male is like saying that red and blue equals red and red. Conflating the sexes does no good for anyone.

Mitch Mueller

St. Paul

Tags: readers views, opinion, editorials, politics, health, minnesota