Letter: Marriage vital to family structure

While I have respect for the opinions of others and tolerance for different lifestyles, I also feel an obligation to speak out on issues for which I have moral conviction. Marriage, legally defined as “between one man and one woman,” is such an issue.

The will of the people of this state has been clearly voiced at the ballot box, as our constitution guides. Having been overturned by four judges, it is now before the citizens in the form of an amendment.

Civil unions have been recognized in California as having rights equivalent to marriage.  Stopping this amendment is not an attempt by an extremely small segment of our population to preserve their right to form a legal union. That right is law in California. It is, however, an assault on the very thing which defines and strengthens society, family and marriage between man and woman.

I harbor no ill will toward someone making a personal choice of lifestyle different than my own, but I do stand on the side of the core family structure which has helped create and preserve our great society and, indeed, civilization. I support Proposition 8 without hesitation and encourage others to give most serious consideration to this important proposition.

Leon P. Randall

Chico