Word choice spurs fight over gay marriage

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008

Reasonable people can agree that gay men and lesbians deserve the rights that have been afforded to heterosexuals, including the ability to engage in a legally recognized union. The problem with the decision of the California Supreme Court permitting gay marriage is one of semantics ("Calif. clearance of gay marriage could emphasize issue in election," News, Friday).

Marriage historically has been between a man and a woman. The court's decision declaring that marriage now is the joining of two men or two women is like a court decree saying shrimp will now be lobster. Consequently, the court ruling will be offensive to those individuals who have traditional values. It will ignite a new cultural war that could have been avoided, in part, if the terminology used was "civil...