“Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve” is not a sentiment I ever thought our government would get behind. Then, on February 24, President Bush called for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and preserve the “sanctity” of “the most fundamental institution of civilization.”

According to the Census Bureau, 9 out of 10 people marry but half of the marriages end in divorce. The institution of marriage is not being destroyed by homosexual couples, but by people who abuse their right to marry. Britney Spears can have a trashy 5-minute-marriage in Las Vegas, but long-term gay partners are being denied their unions and the benefits that come with the marriage status.

Gay people are American citizens, so the constitution should protect them and work in their best interests. Government is not supposed to bow to biblical teachings. One of the basic rules of the US is a separation of church and state. This allows for divorce, the removal of the Ten Commandments from court, as well as the right to choose.

I can understand, if not agree, with the opposition to gay marriage in the church. However, civil unions should be allowed. There are bigger problems facing our country than letting two people who love each other legally unite. Telling people who they can or cannot marry does more than infringe on civil rights, it stomps all over them. Marriage is a special commitment that should not be denied to any segment of people.

There is no need to be threatened by the idea or practice of gay marriage. Ideally, marriage is a lifelong commitment between two people who love each other, want to raise a family together. Society must learn to see beyond the gender of a couple. Gay people are just regular people who want to do “normal” things.