With all due respect to Father Richard Sedlacek, state Rep. Brad Klippert, and anyone else who opposes gay marriage because of faith. You have a right to your religious beliefs! Just don't legislate them.

There is no place for a law that so clearly inflicts pain and suffering on a special class of people, that causes significant social, economic harm and inequalities. It flies in the face of everything America stands for, including those cherished inalienable rights granted to all citizens, derived from the Declaration of Independence, especially where it says "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Families have all sorts of people -- doctors, lawyers, college graduates, dropouts, married people, divorced people, single people, spinsters and gays of both types. Are they viewed differently in the eyes of God? How can anyone justify a law that regulates who people can love and marry and who they can't?

Divisiveness, hate, fear, racism, intolerance and bigotry are going tear this country apart. We need to improve and learn from the mistakes of the past. We need to learn to live with one another, accept one another, work with one another, and God help us, love one another.

Paul Krupin, Kennewick