Marriage

Some of the delegates who struggled, and ultimately supported legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland Name: Del. Tiffany Alston, Prince George's County Democrat Age: 34 A reason: Amendment she proposed protecting referendum was adopted Quote: "It is time for us to move beyond this issue. " Name: Del. Pam Beidle, Anne Arundel County Democrat Age: 60 A reason: Concerned gay families don't have the same rights as straight families. Quote: "I just really thought about the issue.

Ravens player Matt Birk's remarks on gay marriage were timely in relation to the vote coming up next month, but they are wrong ("Strengthening marriage," Oct. 8). Gay people are not asking for special rights but for society to acknowledge that gay couples deserve the same rights everyone else has. Everyone else is allowed to legally marry, such as couples of different races and divorced people. These marriages used to be against the law. As a gay Christian, I have known my whole life that I am different and that it was not my choice.

Gina and Julio Aliaga Gina and Julio Aliaga , of Laurel, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in July. The couple were married July 12, 1986, in San Francisco, Calif. They marked this milestone at a barbecue with their daughter, Vanessa.

Many Maryland citizens are morally opposed to same-sex marriage. There is real outrage aimed at Gov.Martin O'Malleyfor encouraging another legislative battle on this issue. I believe it is arrogant and dangerous to redefine God's eternal law. Doing so would usher in an era of depravity that no amount of lawmaking could ever correct. I recognize that some legislators may not agree with my opinion, so I offer pragmatic reasons to oppose same sex marriage. It will bog down the legislative agenda unnecessarily when we have serious issues to address in our state.

The state legislature needs to think before they act to change the rules of marriage that predate recorded history ( "Hundreds crowd Senate for hearing on same-sex marriage," Feb. 8). Marriage is and always has been between men and women. The last change was to one man and one woman. It is a sexual union between a man and a woman that creates a child to be raised by the family. Take away sexual intercourse from marriage and what is left? Love, caring, sure. But love and caring exists in many human relationships.

Having recently been allowed by the government to finally legally wed my longtime partner, I read with interest your article about the declining proportion of Americans who are married ("Let's revive marriage in America," Jan. 3). It saddens me that so many young people feel that they couldn't make a marriage last. Yes, it does take work; but it is worth it. Author Mike McManus is also correct that having a marriage based in some sort of religion helps. But on visiting the author's website to learn more, I was dismayed to find that his advice to couples was just a ruse to spread his views bitterly opposing same-sex marriage.

You keep hearing this mantra repeated by those who would prevent same-sex couples from marrying, "God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman. " Where do they get this stuff? Have they never read their Bible? It is clear from Genesis on that God intended marriage to be between one man and many women. All of the patriarchs had numerous wives, and King Solomon, who apparently was wealthy enough to afford them, had one thousand. We may question his wisdom, but not his stamina.

I am disappointed in the narrow-minded view of the Sept. 6 letter, "Same-sex marriage amounts to experimenting on children. " The letter-writer states that "Marriage across time and culture has always been a loving, committed relationship between a man and a woman. " This statement does not take into account that over 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. What about unhappy marriages where a woman or man is being beaten or verbally abused by their spouse? She also states that "marriage provides a safe environment for children and connects them to their biological parents".

It is apparent that the NAACP has lost its moral compass because they feel they must stand with a black president and not their Christian roots when it comes to defining marriage and the rights and privileges associated with it ("Favoring equality," May 29). They have been losing credibility with many of us for years because they are often hypocritical and this one takes the cake. I hope those blacks who disagree with their position consider fleeing their membership and spending their energy and resources with their churches and communities.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's coordinated legislative strategy to hold off a vote on homosexual marriage until he could corrupt Republican state Senators James Alesi, Roy McDonald, Stephen Saland, and Mark Grisanti needs further scrutiny by legal authorities. Governor Cuomo and his immoral pals effectively sold New Yorkers down the river by forcing through same-sex marriage, which most New Yorkers and Americans do not want. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn recently said the vote was typical of the "corrupt political process in New York state.