THE EDITOR, Sir:
DENNIE QUILL'S article on gay marriages, published in your edition of Friday, February 27 raises, some very important issues, which need to be examined and discussed.
In my view, a marriage between two adults should not be primarily seen as a sexual union, as sexuality is secondary to the true meaning of marriage, which should centre on a genuine commitment to each other, based on love and trust. Therefore, the sexual aspect should not be a requisite for marriage. In my view, there is nothing morally or intrinsically evil or wrong with two men or two women taking the vows of marriage.
I am well aware that such thinking will invoke the wrath of homophobic bigots and fundamentalists who will no doubt cite Biblical injunctions to condemn all homosexual acts as sinful. The difference between them and myself is whereas they believe in a book written by man, I believe in a God who transcends the written word and whose revealing of himself did not begin with Genesis and end in Revelation. The Bible writers wrote from a very limited perspective and knowledge of human behaviour and the world in general. I believe we are all called by God to reflect, ponder and to apply reason in interpreting the Bible. In short, as enlightened and intelligent believers, we have to interpret God's words in the light of human reason and experience.
There is also another very important aspect of the homosexual issue that needs to be considered, which is the right of homosexuals to live in accordance with their nature and to freely express their sexual orientation within the bounds of law. The law is in itself highly immoral for no other reason than it denies homosexuals of a fundamental and inalienable right to be themselves and express themselves in accordance with their homosexual nature.
It is my firm view that Jamaica should, like other progressive countries, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Israel, the UK and Canada affirm the rights of homosexuals and decriminalise homosexual acts.
I am, etc.,
GEORGE McGRATH
Kingston 8
