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Published Thursday, January 22, 2009 in Opinion

Straights favor restricting gays

If one believes "the problem with gays is that they think they deserve special privileges and rights based on their lifestyle," here are points to consider:

Imagine receiving a phone call your wife or husband (your life partner) has been in a terrible accident or the victim of a life-changing event -- a call anyone would dread. The fear and anxiety is overwhelming as you scramble to the hospital or make frantic calls to see if your loved one will indeed be OK. And if need be, you make the medical decisions necessary for your spouse if they are not able to for themselves with the guidance of physicians and medical experts. During that time you and your family should be able to maintain your lifestyle through your spouse's benefits and aid should the worst happen.

Now put yourself in the same situation above again, but now the difference is that you are in a committed gay relationship. Guess what? You now can't make those medical decisions necessary for your spouse, you're left powerless to help them. You won't have any spouse benefits to maintain your lifestyle because your committed gay relationship is not recognized in the eyes of the law.

Special privilege? Special right?

I think not. Equal rights are not special rights, and giving equal rights to all citizens, including gay people, in no way reduces the rights of straight people.

Did we vote on your heterosexual marriage and/or the protection each of you receive from that relationship? No, nor should our committed relationships be voted on, and we certainly should not be deprived of the basic equal rights and protection that your relationship provides you.

The right to equal treatment before the law is not a special right. It is a fundamental right of all Americans.

It seems to me that many straight Americans favor restrictions on gays, which they would never accept for themselves.

Randy LaSante

Newnan