Russell McTague of Lawrenceville
The Lawrence Ledger and Hank Kalet, author of the recent article entitled “Equal protection will rule” (Aug. 12), are to be praised and thanked for publishing and writing, respectively, regarding equality and justice for all.
I am a 73-ear old man in a 42-year committed relationship with another man, age 74. I am a retired public school employee with 34 years of service to the children of New Jersey. I never received an evaluation lower than “Outstanding.”
Some of my relatives came to New Jersey in 1765 and yet I am not allowed to marry my life partner and therefore am denied full American citizenship.
I had a first cousin who was married and divorced five times with complete legal approval of state and federal governments and enjoyed full citizenship. Heterosexual jailed prisoners can marry. I cannot.
How can these obvious disparities be taking place? Fear! Most people who oppose equality for all deny they are fearful. However, they are afraid of letting go of their world paradigm that says they are right and all others are wrong. Belief is not necessarily truth. I can believe the earth is flat but that does not make it so.
There are others who do not actively oppose marriage equality but nevertheless contribute to the perpetuation of injustice. They are the well meaning, good people who are busy going about their lives not particularly aware of the inequality of others. These are the people to whom I appeal, not the fearful, bigoted uninformed few. So if you are Jewish, atheist, Roman Catholic, secularist, Protestant, agnostic, Islamist, Unitarian Universalist or Orthodox, please speak up boldly for equality and justice. Care about the pain, suffering and inequality that people like me experience. Speak up now! Speak out like Hank Kalet and The Lawrence Ledger.
Russell McTague
Lawrenceville

