January 29 2014, Salt Lake City Tribune, Letter: Arguments against gay marriage debunked,

January 29 2014, Salt Lake City Tribune, Letter: Arguments against gay marriage debunked, 

First Published 01:01 am • Last Updated Jan 29 2014 01:01 am

Re: "Natural law dictates 2-gender society," Forum, Jan. 14: A quote from the Yale Scientific Magazine, March 14, 2012: "Currently, homosexual behavior has been documented in over 450 different animal species worldwide." Google it. Yes, homosexuality exists in nature.

Re: "Find a new word," Forum, Jan 17: Both the Merriam-Webster & Oxford online dictionaries recognize same gender unions in their definition of "marriage." Look it up. No other word is needed.

Re: "Let states decide; gays can move," Forum, Jan. 13: If John marries Helen in Hawaii, and they move to Utah, their marriage is recognized as legal and binding. If John marries Howard in Hawaii, and they move to Utah (or any other state) their marriage also needs to be recognized as legal and binding. It was performed in accordance with law, and they should not have to worry about its standing as they move from place to place.

The citizens can decide if same-gender marriage can take place in the state, but not if a marriage legally performed elsewhere is legal in the state. As long as one state permits the ceremony, it must be held legal by other states, or there is no equality under the law.

Robert Walton
Orem