All Americans are free to engage in the institution of marriage, including members of the homosexual community. However like any time-honored institution in our society, certain criteria must be met in order to receive a marriage license.

One may marry any other consenting adult as long as they are not a close member of family, are not already married to someone else, and are not of the same gender (man and woman).

Referendum 74 does not seek to open marriage to a long-persecuted segment of our society. Instead, it in effect, gives special rights to a few, wishing to change the structure of the institution that has served our society for thousands of years. Like other activities for which we issue licenses, the institution of marriage exists to put society’s seal of approval on those human relationships that most benefit society as a whole.

Much is made of the “love between two people” but in reality, marriage as a public institution has little to do with love and everything to do with the complexities of child rearing and family building. All, very critical to the continuation of any society.

Those engaging in same-sex relationships are free to participate in any number of celebrations of their love for one another. They have access to a number of legal mechanisms, including domestic partnerships to deal with legal aspects of their relationships.

Passage of Referendum 74 creates a dangerous precedent. How will we be able say ‘no’ to the inevitable challenges from those wishing to marry multiple partners (polygamy)? How about those wishing to marry children? Those wishing to marry their brother/sister?

Marriage must remain in tact for our children and those who come after us. Please vote, no on Ref. 74.

Mark Dilger

North Bend