Gay marriage bans, equality: Second look

Equal rights for all

Those who would decry that the "will of the people" is being trampled should remember a few things ("Gay marriage bans fall against will of voters?").

If votes always prevailed, we would have slavery, anti-miscegenation laws, and women seen as chattel and unable to vote. Let all in our country enjoy their equal rights.

José Kirchner; Roseville, Calif.

Let states decide

In response to the reader comments concerning same-sex marriage, I think a good and healthy respect for the concept of a community's standards is in order.

Things that might be acceptable in large metropolitan areas — such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston — might not go over well in smaller places.

Therefore, let those states and communities that have voted against same-sex marriage maintain their standards; those areas that voted in favor can do things their way. There is no need for judges to mandate things that certain communities find repulsive.

Lloyd Marshall Jr.; Lockport, N.Y.