Pass same-sex marriage law

After reading the recent article on same-sex marriage ["LI pols called key to same-sex bill," News, Feb. 13], I realized it was time for me to speak up publicly about an issue I am passionate about. New York State must finally legalize gay marriage and grant equal rights to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation. Marriage equality is the civil rights struggle of this generation, but far too many of us are sitting back and letting the discrimination continue.

I am not gay; in fact, I am a happily married heterosexual male with two kids. Why shouldn't my gay and lesbian friends have the same opportunities to raise their own families - legally?

The time is now for the State Senate to immediately pass a bill granting marriage equality to all New Yorkers. Far too many New Yorkers have been denied this basic right for far too long.

Mike Seilback

Commack