Race to expand gay rights still close

I didn’t expect Referendum 71 to pass [“R-71 winning in King County, slightly ahead statewide,” Seattletimes.com, Politics, Nov. 3].

Not because the majority of Washingtonians’ were against it, but because the majority who were for it wouldn’t be voting.

The preachers and practitioners of hate and intolerance will surely celebrate the fact they were able to rally their followers into being willing participants to discrimination.

Personally, I don’t believe that’s something to celebrate. And it’s certainly not something to be proud of.

— Marty Zupan, Seattle

Deep devotion, mutual respect are only qualifications

Some gay and lesbian people are saying Referendum 71 passed because the voters accept their sexuality [“‘Everything but marriage’ backers smelling victory,” page one, Nov. 4]. Those opposed to the referendum said that it was anti-marriage, and would start to disintegrate what holds society together.

Gays and lesbians should not get special or equal treatment because of their sexuality, just as heterosexuals should not get special or equal treatment because of their sexuality. It is absurd to imply that sex or sexuality of any kind holds society together.

In reality, what may be more likely to hold society together is the close bonding and mutual devotion between people, and marriage is often a good representation of that.

Research has shown that dedicated and devoted couples are healthier, happier and more productive in society, so it makes sense for society to honor and support them if only on the basis of cost savings.

My wife and I have been married almost 47 years, and it seems to us that couples who have a declared and demonstrated devotion to each other should be equally honored and supported by society irrespective of any other qualifications.

— Michael Kysar, Bellevue