Michael Scrimsher's letter (Jan. 18) regarding the definition of marriage shows he has his head in the sand and obviously doesn't understand his closed-minded babbling. As an ordained minister who performs marriage ceremonies, I am not required by the church where I was ordained nor by the state of Washington or the Federal Government to question whether a hetrosexual couple intends to, or even is able to procreate prior to performing the ceremony. The fact is, the "perpeutation of the human family" is happening with or without the ritual of a marriage ceremony and whose right is it to judge another on who they choose to love and form a family with. A child is still part of a "family" even if the parents are not legally married.

It also is not my right to judge another for who they choose to love and form a family with.

Gay couples can provide a warm, loving, stable environment for children to learn and grow. I know many gay couples with children conceived through a prior hetrosexual marriage or relationship. The children are much more grounded and accepting of others' differences than they would have been having lived with very unhappy parents.

Diversity and understanding are key to happiness.

Diane Crawford, Kennewick