SOCIAL EVOLUTION

SOCIAL EVOLUTION

Tom Gross.
Published: Monday, February 5, 1996
Section: COMMENTARY

In her letter titled "Core values" (Voice, Jan. 31), Leslie Stevens takes Stephen Chapman's Op-ed piece (Jan. 25) too personally. He never claims that everyone who disagrees with his opinion in support of gay marriage is a "hateful neo-Nazi." Chapman quotes specific arguments made by specific individuals and points out their transparent lack of reason and rationality. He alludes to the fact that conservatives have used the negative emotional appeal of anti-gay groups for political gain.

Ms. Stevens states correctly that many people feel justified in opposing gay marriage based on long-standing tradition. But tradition has been used in the past as a rationale for slavery and for denying women the right to vote. But reason has prevailed, and we are all better off today because of it.

Ms. Stevens seems to think that social evolution has reached its apex and needs to continue no further. Society has a compelling interest in encouraging stable, monogamous relationships between adults--straight and gay. It's time for reasonable people to take the challenge to look beyond tired stereotypes and face the facts: Gays and lesbians have the same human needs for genuine affection and committed companionship as do heterosexuals. And so they deserve the same rights and responsibilities in the eyes of the law.

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