Hundreds of gay marriage supporters rally on Fountain Square last Wednesday in Cincinnati. (Al Behrman, The Associated Press)
Re: “Judges weigh gay marriage cases from 4 states,” Aug. 7 news story.
When reading about the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and its recent hearing of arguments in a gay marriage-related case, I remembered what I learned in school: The legislative process is what gives citizens a democratic voice in setting public policies, and that is the arena in which the majority rules; whereas the judicial system protects the civil liberties of everyone and serves to protect individuals from the tyranny of the majority. How can the 6th Circuit judge, Jeffrey S. Sutton, think itap OK for the court to walk away from that judicial responsibility and tell same-sex couples that it is on them to look for justice elsewhere and to be patient until the majority finally (if ever) gets around to legislating in their favor? Would he have the courts turn down all claims of civil rights violations, with the lobbying of legislatures as the only recourse for those claimants?
Deborah van den Honert, Boulder
This letter was published in the Aug. 11 edition.
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