I have to share this letter from the Hillsborough Beacon, which takes issue with our editorial on same-sex marriage. John Tardy writes that same-sex marriage is an oxymoron. “Marriage,” he writes has “for millennia meant the union of a male and a female human with the intent to create and raise a family, i.e., have children of their own and to nurture them into adulthood.” So, while gay and lesbian couples “can ‘borrow’ someone else’s children or family one way or another, the basic function of procreation that is at the core of a marriage is physically defunct in such situations.”
Procreation, apparently, is the key, which leaves heterosexual couples like my wife and I — who tried but couldn’t have kids and others who have adopted, or older couples who marry after they no longer can create a child — outside of this very narrow definition.
I am sure that Mr. Tardy would make an exception for my wife and me — we have what he would consider compatible equipment — and I have to say I’m honored. Of course, making such an exception knocks the foundation out from under his initial argument.
Hank Kalet 
Tardy\’s letter is appalling and nauseating not only because he reserves marriage for procreators but primarily because he describes homosexuality as a disability. Geezus, that point of view went out in the 70s or 80s. Tardy is a gentler, kinder version of Rev. Phelps…he\’s the smiley face version of Phelps. Phelps is the maniac who pickets the funerals of soldiers from the Iraq or Afghanistan blood baths because America tolerates gays. Tardy\’s screed is a blast from the past, circa 1645.
Tardy says that homosexuality is a disability. He states: \”However, as we do not provide the blind with driver’s licenses, neither should we provide same-sex unions with marriage licenses.\” Blind people are allowed to get married, people with disabilities, even with disabilities that may not enable them to procreate, are allowed to get married.I guess in a Tardy world (Tardistan?), prospective brides and grooms would have to prove that they were capable of procreation before they could get a marriage license. Blind gay people would be tenth rate citizens in Tardistan.