Yesterday, at 5:01 p.m., California became the second state to legalize gay marriage. Way to go California!

Gay marriage is something I've really never understood the controversy about. What the hell is wrong with people of the same sex getting married? What does a gay couple getting married take away from me or you? Not a damn thing. To me it's always been something that shouldn't have to be legalized...it should have always been and be a right of every citizen of this country no matter what their sexual/emotional preference is.

Oh wait, yeah, there's that religion thing that says it goes against God Okay, this country was founded on freedom of religion and with that freedom came the freedom NOT to have a religion or believe in one so...why do we hold people to a religious doctrine that not everyone subscribes to and make them follow some religious belief and/or law?

Marriage at it's base core is nothing but a legal contract...It's also a statement to the world that I choose this person, above all others to spend my life with...to live, love and die with. True, you don't have to be married to feel or think that way about someone but...the majority of people want it stated so in a legal fashion. Hence...they want to get married.

Yesterday a lesbian couple got married...Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 83...they have been a couple for 55 years...if that isn't love, I don't know what the hell is...55 years waiting to be able to proclaim to the world "I choose her" and have it recognized as a legal union...how can a relationship that has lasted over half a century be wrong? It can't and it isn't.

If you're one of those that believe gay marriages should not be legal I ask you...Why? Don't play the religion card...take religion out of it and tell me, why is something that is okay for you, not okay for someone else, just because they happen to be the same sex. Why is their love and commitment to each other so different than your love and commitment to the one you choose/chose....why doesn't it deserve to be legally recognized?

Again I say...Way to go California, hopefully other states will follow your's and Massachusetts lead.

T.