One thing often overlooked in the debate about same sex marriage is that gay people are PEOPLE too. They have a mother, father, siblings. A great deal of the time, they have children too. Are their children less worthy of all the protections that marriage brings?

I am also tired of hearing about if gays can marry, it "demeans" the institution. How? No one ever answers this and yet ignores blatant contradictions - convicted felons can marry while in prison. Thousands of people don't pay child support leaving their own flesh and blood destitute in many cases and they can still marry again. Divorce is against many religions, but is allowed by law.

We often help other countries obtain freedom and democracy - let's have some here too. If a union negotiates DP benefits, or a school board or city decides to offer benefits, is it someone else's right to decide it can't be done? This is exactly one of the things that will happen if Michigan's constitutional ban on same sex marriage occurs. Vote no and also contact your Senators to say NO to prejudice and discrimination being amended into our Federal Constitution for the first time!

Richard M. Lapham
Hamtramck, Michigan