Couple's commitment is what's important
David Quinn's comments about gay marriage (Irish Independent, April 8) were thoughtful, but wrong. The presence of children has little to do with marriage -- a childless wife is still a wife, as much as a gay dad is still a dad.
In Mr Quinn's view, it would seem that all childless couples should be forced to divorce to prevent them lessening his notion of marriage as an institution only for the raising of children by a mother and a father.
Legally, a marriage does not require either children or a genuinely loving relationship in order to be fulfilled. Conversely, a long-lasting relationship between two adults and the whole-hearted commitment of an adult to care for children are neither strengthened nor lessened by the parties signing a contract.
People who are offended by the notion of certain family groups may try to express this by denying them the legal supports for relationships and parenthood that normally accompany such partnerships.
If we substitute the words 'Catholic', 'Irish', or 'poor' in place of the word 'gay' in Quinn's article, it becomes clear how poorly constructed and prejudiced his arguments against gay marriage are.
It is of great value to society as a whole when two people sign a contract to commit their social and financial futures to each other, and to protect the children in their mutual care, and society as a whole should support them regardless of their race, colour, religion or gender.
John Thompson
Phibsboro, Dublin 7
Irish Independent
