Gays and morality

During its budget sessions last year, the El Paso City Council approved a measure to extend a subsidized medical insurance benefit to the partners of those city employees living in a committed relationship that is not recognized by the state as marriage. There was widespread objection, especially to the notion that same-sex couples, who are not permitted to marry in Texas, would receive the same benefits as their married counterparts. Those who opposed the measure quickly gathered the signatures required to force the council to reconsider its action, and--after the council ignored the petition--gathered the signatures required to bring the measure to the voters in the November election asking voters to rescind these benefits.

The debate has filled the opinion pages of the El Paso Times with most published letters to the editor being supportive of the referendum to rescind health benefits.  A recent op-ed piece from Fr. Michael Rodriguez, priest of San Juan Bautista Parish in East-Central El Paso, mostly opposing homosexuals and even those who support them, has, judging from the comments, received a broad reading even outside of El Paso. Today's letters to the editor publishes for the third time a list of "Ten more reasons to reject the homosexual agenda."

Comments on today's editorial suggest that the Times is not publishing some articles opposing the referendum or supporting equal rights for homosexuals in general. Here is mine:

Referendum is immoral

The measure seeking to strip benefits from the committed partners of city employees is immoral. To pay someone less for doing the same work based solely on the gender of their life partner is morally wrong because it violates basic principles of fairness and justice. The same catechism used to condemn homosexuals also recognizes cheating workers as a sin which cries out to heaven.

To use scripture to condemn homosexuality while ignoring other biblical teachings such as the prohibition of interest or the approval of slavery is morally wrong because it is inconsistent. Accusing homosexuals of destroying the fabric of society or of causing AIDS is morally wrong because it is untrue. Comparing a committed homosexual relationship to the crime of pedophilia is morally wrong because it is not only untrue, but downright malicious.

Like heterosexual relationships, same sex relationships bring great joy to the lives of some people. They are a source of emotional growth. They promote personal and societal stability. In short, committed homosexual relationships are moral.

The city does not give benefits to the spouses of married employees to support someone's view of marriage. They do so, because married employees are likely to be happier, healthier, and more productive than those not in a committed relationship. They do so to attract the very best employees. It is a moral imperative that all city employees in committed relationships receive the same benefits regardless of the gender of their partner.