n I am writing in response to the disturbingly closed-minded letter sent in by Matthew Sullivan (“Gay adoption is wrong,” April 1, pg. 10). He claimed “being raised by gay parents will no doubt make it more likely for the child to choose to be gay.” May I ask, Mr. Sullivan, did you choose to be straight? Did you sit down, make a list of pros and cons for all types of sexual orientation and make a clear, conscious decision to be straight? I highly doubt it. What would ever lead you to believe homosexuals have a choice in the matter?
Mr. Sullivan went on to say that homosexuality is not natural, that children should not be encouraged to grow up gay and that gay adoption is morally and socially wrong. How is it “unnatural” to love someone else and to want to express that love to the world? And what is socially wrong with gay people raising children? They are teaching their children to have an open mind, to follow their hearts and to accept people for who they are. I would argue that those are vital social lessons that people like you were obviously lacking in their upbringing. Furthermore, these gay couples are providing homes and families for children who otherwise would be orphans forever. Last I checked, it was morally good to give children a better life than orphanages or foster homes could ever offer.
My basic question for everyone out there who believes homosexuality is wrong is this: What exactly is so terrible about being gay? A person’s sexual orientation has nothing to do with whether he or she is inherently “good” or “bad.” In terms of adoption, listen to the following true story: One of my best friends growing up was adopted by a straight couple when she was a baby. She is now dropping out of college, has had an abortion, uses drugs and her parents got divorced about a year ago. What do you say to that? It is evidence that being straight does not make you a good parent, just as being gay does not make you a bad one.
People love who they love; stop trying to convince them it’s wrong, or that they should be denied opportunities (i.e. marriage and adoption) because of it. Love is good. Love makes people happy. Love makes the world a better place. If a man loves another man, or a woman loves another woman, who is it hurting? Just as I am free to love who I love without scrutiny, homosexuals should be free to love who they love under the same conditions. The Pledge of Allegiance does say “…with liberty and justice for all,” does it not?
Rachel Masterman
SMG ’06