This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In "Just like polyandry" (Forum, Sept 16), Ben Watkins asked why same-sex marriage is being proclaimed a civil right.
The simple answer is that in federal law there are more than 1,000 benefits, rights and protections provided on the basis of marital status.
Eliminate all of these and there will probably be a good case that same-sex marriage is not a civil right.
Until that is done, the right for everyone to marry whom they love is the civil rights issue of our time.
Liz Muller
Sandy