The writer of the July 10 letter, "Marriage should be between man and woman only," stated one very important fact: "Every father and every mother is important," she wrote.
But her argument that these parents must only come out of a heterosexual marriage made no sense to me. She asked, "Who is better to nurture and teach a child than biological mothers and fathers?" My answer: parents who want, love and are able to provide for them.
The thousands of children in foster care and children of people who decide to give them up when they are unable to provide a stable home could thrive under the care of two loving parents, gay or straight. The ideal environment for a child may be a same-sex union where the parents are committed to one another and to raising healthy, happy children. The fact is there already are children being raised in healthy homes with same-sex parents. If one parent becomes incapacitated or dies it can be a nightmare for the family. Who would wish this on children? We have to remedy this situation -- now.
In a perfect world no parents would divorce, all marriages would be happy and all parents would nurture productive citizens. If we can't be perfect, let's at least be fair by granting all people the same rights and privileges.
If a particular religious institution seeks to prevent same-sex unions, so be it. I expect better of my government. Stand up for families: Vote "no" on the marriage amendment, and let's work together to support civil unions and marriage for everyone.
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Pat Montgomery
Duluth
