Massachusetts – Should we have so-called “Gay Marriage” (November 18, 2003)

November 18, 2003

Cincinnati Enquirer

Dear Editor:

The Massachusetts Supreme Court has concluded that their state constitution allows for the right to a so-called “gay marriage.” If that becomes law in Massachusetts, the federal government must choose between three options:

• Do nothing and allow the Full Faith and Credit clause to force the other 49 states to accept “gay marriage”
• Pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman
• Expel Massachusetts from the union and remove a star from our flag

My vote is for the constitutional amendment.

The third possibility (expelling Massachusetts from the union) can not be dismissed out of hand. A parallel can be drawn between Massachusetts’ situation today and Utah’s in the late 1800s. After repeated attempts, the territory of Utah was unable to join the Union until it outlawed polygamy.

If Massachusetts can create the right to so-called “gay marriage”, then why can’t Utah create the right to polygamy and force those “marriages” to be recognized by the other 49 states?

John E. Becker