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discrimination - sadly, so do many others. They deserve the law's protections and civil rights, too.

Some who object to gay rights see homosexuality as a choice, but science has demonstrated conclusively that sexual disposition is inherent in some, not an option or alternative they've selected. In that regard, it exactly parallels race — I was born black and had no choice. I couldn't and wouldn't change it. Like race, our sexuality isn't a preference — it is immutable, unchangeable, and the Constitution protects us all against prejudices and discrimination based on immutable differences.

Some who believe in Biblical literalism find sanction for their anti-homosexuality there, but selectively ignore Biblical injunctions to execute people who work on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:2) and to crack down on those who get haircuts (Leviticus 19:27) or who wear clothes with more than one kind of thread (19:19). There's no Biblical mention of lesbianism — are we to think that male homosexuality is wrong but female homosexuality is not?

Many gays and lesbians worked side by side with me in the '60s civil rights movement. Am I now to tell them "thanks" for risking life and limb helping me win my rights — but they are excluded because of a condition of their birth? They cannot share now in the victories they helped to win?

Not a chance.

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