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Social exclusion is a form of bullying
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Jun. 4, 2012 1:57 pm
A recent letter writer claimed that Iowa Supreme Court justices had bullied Iowans by allowing same-sex marriage (“Court bullied Iowans on same-sex marriage,” May 30).
This writer obviously has limited knowledge of bullying. He would prefer to exclude some of his fellow citizens from enjoying the rights he enjoys and exclusion of others is one of the types of bullying identified by the respected Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/recognizing_bullying.page).
Our Iowa Supreme Court justices did the opposite of bullying. They ensured the rights of all Iowa citizens, excluding none, which is consistent with our state constitution. Some same-sex marriage opponents argue, “But what about my rights!” The right to marry as a heterosexual couple hasn't changed.
Mary Kay and Doug Van Oort
Cedar Rapids
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