Marriage rights

Re “Ruling adds support for gay rights,” June 15

It's encouraging to see the nation's largest federal bankruptcy court rip the constitutionality out of the Defense of Marriage Act and extend benefits to legally wed same-sex couples.

Gay marriage is not on the fringe: It's our parents and grandparents, our siblings, friends and neighbors.

From joint income tax returns to Social Security survivor payments to immigration sponsorship rights to joint bankruptcy filings, the protections of marriage are designed to help two people who love each other enough to stand up in front of those they cherish and say that nothing will come between them.

These aren't just family rights and family values; they're human rights and human values, and the law should reflect that.

David C. Bohnett

Los Angeles