Print edition: 
Columnist Rod Dreher was correct in stating that "gay marriage represents a cultural revolution, a fundamental redefinition of what marriage means" ("Empathy a two-way street on gay marriage," Nov. 12 Opinion). Indeed, it represents yet another sign that our society is finally coming to realize that freedoms and the right to live in liberty in our nation should not be restricted to only one group.
Dreher went on to note that until the past 10 or 20 years, marriage between same-sex partners was unthinkable. I would point out that 50 years ago, integration of black people into white society was unthinkable, too. I shudder to think what might have happened had we held state-by-state votes on the issue of equal rights for African-American people and allowed majority opinion to rule.
Thankfully, we have checks and balances in this country through our court systems that tend to help protect the rights of minority groups against the tyranny of the majority. Our nation's freedoms should not be withheld based on the discomfort one may have with others or because of personal fear of change.
I have plenty of gay couples as friends. They go to work, own homes, vote, pay taxes and raise children just like I do. Allowing gay people the same right that heterosexuals have to marry and live openly with the one they love is the essence of freedom in our society. The whole gay rights struggle in our nation is a natural progression of societal change that we have seen coming for decades.
A final note in response to Dreher's comment that "thoughtful traditionalists" believe same-sex marriage might somehow restrict the freedom of speech and association for church and religious organizations: We seem to see here the blanket assumption that churches and religious groups are in lockstep with the anti-gay movement. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I'm associate pastor at Pine Valley Christian Church, and there are many pastors like me and many churches like mine that embrace the promise of equal rights for all people in our nation and the world.
LEIGH CARLSON BURGESS
Wichita
