Permitted perversion
What a country. Last week an activist judge in Pulaski County set aside the will of Arkansas voters to impose, I believe, his bias toward marriage perversion.
Arkansans voted against homosexual marriages by 75 percent, but that apparently didn't stop him or the 9th Circuit activists who overturned the will of California voters who voted against perversion of marriage in that state.
Oh, and thank you, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, for picturing two lesbians' disgusting kiss on the Sunday front page. Above the fold. It turned my stomach. Be sure that this prominent display of perversion will encourage teenage girls in Arkansas to choose a sexually perverted lifestyle, which you picture as normal. Shame on you!
I believe we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction like the Greeks and Romans did; when the family decays, the culture breaks down historically. Goodbye, America. It was a great ride.
BOB L. WARNER
Hot Springs Village
Overrode voters' will
Wow, guess there is really no need to vote any more when a liberal judge can simply override the will of the people. Hundreds of thousands voted against same-sex marriage in Arkansas. Tons of money spent to pass this law. Same thing happened in California. I personally am glad Chris Piazza is up for re-election in November. Another liberal to vote out.
We are the Bible Belt here in Arkansas. We want to raise our kids in a Christian and morally sound environment without liberals telling us that we can't. My dad told me years ago that the road to hell was paved with liberals. I believe that with all my heart. As a Christian conservative, I am sick and tired of someone's sexual orientation being thrown up in my face. I think if we roll over and let this evil take root in Arkansas, it will just be a matter of time before church pastors are yanked from behind the pulpit for sharing Biblical views on homosexuality and will be charged with hate crimes. I believe God's stand on it hasn't changed in thousands of years.
I think the people of Arkansas' best course of action is to do our talking in the voting booth. If guys like Mike Beebe, Dustin McDaniel, and others that we elected to serve us and our values won't stand up for us and do it, cut them loose and don't vote for them when they seek a different office because of term limits. I will fully support Tom Cotton and Asa Hutchinson. I may not agree with every GOP candidate on the ballot, but they will get my vote. Not every Democrat is a liberal, but I believe every liberal is a Democrat. I'm not going to chance it.
MIKE JENKINS
North Little Rock
Shock to sensibilities
The picture of the homosexual kiss on your front page Sunday was, I think, inappropriate and unnecessary; this was to me obviously a conscious decision on the part of liberal activists on your staff to shock the sensibilities of your readers.
Cover the story? Sure, it's news, but why the graphic representations?
And then you wonder why your industry is on its death bed.
RICHARD ADAMS
Fayetteville
Entitled to that right
In the wake of Judge Chris Piazza's recent ruling against Arkansas' ban on same-sex marriage, social media has been flooded with both support and disdain. One camp champions the decision as a small victory in an ongoing war, while the other feels the moral fabric of society is being torn to shreds. Hopefully, that fabric is not one of blended fibers, but hypocrisy is not the focus of this letter.
Putting aside religiously motivated opposition and the never-ending back-and-forth blather it creates, I believe one can clearly see that the ban is simply discrimination. However, some fail to see this. Several counties even issued letters stating that they will uphold the Arkansas Constitution, in which same-sex marriage was banned with an amendment in 2004. I believe this amendment, however, should not exist, regardless of voter approval; its mere existence is a direct violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees equal protection to all citizens. A state cannot allow one section of society certain rights while denying the same to another. That's it. No clever pun or witty punchline is necessary. To further illustrate the point, simply replace "same-sex" with either "black" or "interracial," both of which were also banned at one time.
Discrimination is a harsh word, but a necessary one when debating this issue. It is a term that acts as guiding light for navigating an argument clouded with irrational homophobia and sexual insecurity. Gay people are not attempting to control the world or spread some sort of agenda. They, along with countless straight supporters, are simply fighting for the rights that everyone else enjoys.
CALEB ISOM HICKERSON
Russellville
Yielding to minority
What happened to the government by the people, for the people and of the people?
In 2004, the Arkansas people voted on the gay-marriage-ban amendment to the state constitution. But now it seems a minority group can get the vote overturned.
I don't understand how something voted and passed by the people can be overturned. Maybe I was transported somehow to another country and state where the people can be ignored. I spent 21 years in the military so the American people can be free; their vote and voices count.
JAMES ELLIOTT
Rogers
Inappropriate photo
I could not believe that I and my family had to view the awful picture on the front page Sunday. I believe it was inappropriate and I would like to cancel my subscription.
We need to stand together for family values and stop this "in my face gay rights."
SHEILA PEARSON
Clinton
Editorial on 05/14/2014