Gay marriage. The thought causes many people to cringe and back away in fear. Nearly 3 in 4 people support equal rights for homosexuals. Some even passionately. Then the issue of same-sex marriage arises. That is where the talk of equality stops cold. Same-sex marriage is a very controversial and important issue, not only nationally, but also locally. Same-sex marriage is an acceptable form of committed relationship.

One of the many arguments against gay marriage is that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman. Who is to decide how to define marriage? The married? The clergy members who marry them? If the straight community cannot show a compelling reason to deny the institution of marriage, it should not be denied. This is more of a form of prejudice than a compelling argument. The concept of not denying people their rights unless compelling reasons can be shown to...