Laws designed to protect the rights of all

Like all parents, I want my children to be happy and healthy. I have two daughters. Both were raised identically in our Christian home. One is gay; one is not. Some people maintain that there is something wrong with my gay daughter. And they want to prevent her from having the same rights as other Americans.

The creation of this country, the United States of America, and our carefully worded laws were designed with the explicit intent to protect the rights of all, and block laws that might single out segments or classes of citizens.

The Constitution of the United States - The Bill of Rights - Amendment 14 - Section 1:

“ ... No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States ...”

And the organizers of our state agreed.

The Iowa Constitution - Bill of Rights - Section 6:

“All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation; the General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens.”

The wording of those statements is very clear. So, I cannot understand why discussions arise involving prohibiting citizens of the same sex the right to marry. The “traditional marriage” stance is as bigoted as “anti-minorities” stances. You cannot single out certain classes of citizens. This goes against the very principles our country was founded upon.

Pete Looney

Marion