I want to thank you for choosing to publish the opinion piece written by Erma Durkin in Saturday's paper ("A Catholic's case for marriage equality," Sept. 29). It was a thoughtful, rational, logical, and obviously heart-felt statement, and it really cut through all the polemics that people have piled onto the gay marriage debate. For Mrs. Durkin, myself and hopefully most others, it simply is a matter of allowing those among us who have grown up experiencing different feelings to fully participate in personal life and have the sorts of practical relationships most of us take for granted. Homosexuality is something one is born with, not a "lifestyle" that one chooses or is lured into by promoters. I trust Mrs. Durkin's son will be able to marry his chosen partner and get on with his life in the way his siblings are presently enjoying.

John Miller, Phoenix