MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOES NEED TASTE OF SUFFERING

Letter to the Editor , Globe North | October 20, 2005

In the great idea war around gay marriage, victory requires battles on many fronts. MassEquality and other organized equality groups must fight on fronts of civil persuasion and legal reason and know that ultimately, this is the battle front that wins the war.

However, KnowThyNeighbor plays a very important, if uncomfortable, role. ("Differences give strength to backers of marriage law," Globe North, Oct. 13). Equality foes, who have enjoyed civil marriage rights for hundreds of years, are all too often oblivious to the human face of suffering caused by the lack of equality in civil marriage laws.

For sure, KnowThyNeighbor is a threatening gesture. It threatens a potential reciprocation in the personal experience of suffering. I for one applaud it. In addition to all good legal and civil arguments, the equality war needs battles at the emotional level, too.

CAROL GEBERT
Nahant

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