Letters to the Editor

No change if gays allowed to marry

As a 72-year-old gay man who has lived with the same partner for more than 45 years, I must take issue with Gov. Christie's specious claim that allowing gay marriage would "redefine hundreds of years of societal, legal, and religious tradition" ("Let the public decide this issue," Monday). Granting gays the right to marry would redefine absolutely nothing, except in the lives of those who choose to marry.

Would my heterosexual relatives and friends, many of whom are divorced, have changed their lives one iota if my partner and I had a marriage certificate tucked away in a drawer all these years? That happens to be the question I've asked a number of U.S. presidents, as well as many local and state politicians. Absolutely no one has ever responded.

Nothing earth-shattering occurred when interracial marriage was allowed, nor did the military collapse when it became integrated, or when gays were allowed to serve openly. Recognizing a loving relationship with a marriage license will have no societal effect of any kind. It might, however, throw Christie into a hissy fit, but I'm pretty sure he'll get over it.

Robert E. DiNardo, Philadelphia, rdinardo11@comcast.net

Blatant bigotry

In response to Gov. Christie's defense of his idea to put the rights of gays and lesbians to a vote, I have a suggestion: Perhaps we should call for vote to decide if obese people should be able to hold public office. Oh wait, that would be blatant bigotry against an entire class of people, wouldn't it?

Patrick Hauck, Philadelphia

Not so fast on school merger

As a third-year law student at Rutgers-Camden, a school with an international presence due in large part to its association with the Rutgers brand name, I write to express my serious disappointment with Gov. Christie's push to merge Rutgers-Camden with Rowan University ("Merger will benefit region," Friday). Although the proposal published focused a great deal on the medical programs in New Jersey, the law school was overlooked.

In the proposal, the law school was only mentioned once, with no discussion of how it would be integrated or affected. What's more, the proposal blindsided the vast majority of us. There is no doubt that the merger with Rowan would cost the law school prestige.