I’ve spent nearly 40 years of my life trying to understand what loving another person really means. If I am a better person today, it is because my wife has inspired me to continue to grow. Why would I want to deny that life-enriching opportunity to someone else, straight or gay?

Our nation has an appalling divorce rate but what does this proposed marriage amendment do to encourage stronger relationships? Nothing! It simply ensures that a double standard will be codified into our constitution. I want to live in a society in which all my fellow citizens live by the same set of laws, with the same rights and responsibilities, no more and no less. Let’s just call it marriage, for everyone’s sake. Keep it simple, hey!

 

Ralph Jacobson

St. Paul