Full equality?

I was perplexed after reading Vanessa Kerry's column, "My Dad's Core Values" [My Perspective, July 6]. How can she be a third-year medical student and not understand the meaning of the word equality? She says John Kerry's core value is equality, yet in the same breath she says that he supports civil unions and not marriage. I'm sorry, but you can't have it both ways. Either you show that you support "full equality" for the LGBT community by backing full marriage rights or you don't. Those who do not support full marriage rights for gays do not support full equality for gays. It's that simple.

C. Kelly Wooldridge Colorado Springs, Colo.

While I appreciate the commitment Ms. Kerry has to our community, I am concerned she may be advocating that we accept her father's notion of civil unions in place of marriage for us. Anything less that full marriage equality is not acceptable. The bigots and bashers of our nation do not need more fuel to perceive us as less than they, and anything other than full marriage rights and responsibilities is an invitation to justify hatred and bigotry. If our government is willing to accept our money in taxes and our participation in our individual communities, then full-on equality, rights, and responsibilities are the only answer.

Scott Walker, Keizer, Ore.