Letter to the Editor
Gay-marriage editorial went too far
The Sept. 24 editorial (“On gay marriage, don’t allow citizens the right to vote”), in my opinion, went beyond the usual standards and usage of the journalistic “we.” Even though I may agree with the topic whole-heartedly, the way the Editorial Board went about arguing its position left something to be desired. Living in a generally regarded liberal college town, support for gay marriage may not be met with much opposition from college students. Because we live in an environment in which many share similar political beliefs, we can forget that the rest of the country may feel differently than we do in Iowa City. National polls show that support for gay marriage is on the rise, but the percentage has yet to surpass 50 percent. In Iowa, the state is just as divided as the rest of the nation.
We may feel here that the fears of gay marriage are “unwarranted,” but there is no need to classify those opposed to the ordinance as “bigots.” Yes, maybe the government should take the reins in this situation as it did during the civil-rights movement, even when it wasn’t the most popular decision.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the values that America does hold dear, even if we feel they are prejudiced. Only when we fully understand the opposition and the gravity that their views hold in America can we truly work to make a change.
Molly Jane Sisson
Iowa City resident
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