When I took on the debate with Paul Calleja another person – P. Borġ, of undisclosed gender – waded into the fray. As can be seen from his/her letters the arguments are weak but, significantly, they betray prejudices that the writer does not even seem to be aware.
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P. Borġ, The Maltese Herald 31/07/12
Dear Sir,
I hate to get on the band wagon and talk about same sex marriage. According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary it says, “Marriage: condition of man and woman legally united for purpose of living together and usu….. etc.”
I am sure that, like me, there are plenty of others who have nothing against gays. It’s their life and I hope they live it happily. However there shouldn’t be any impositions on others or any extraordinary claims.
What I am against is the word MARRIAGE. If they want to make it legal to live together for whatever reason, they should have a BINDING CONTRACT and also an avenue to break the contract according to the same law as DIVORCE. Otherwise if you are gay, good luck to you and enjoy whatever is your fancy.
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Michael Schembri, The Maltese Herald 07/08/12
Dear editor,
P. Borġ's prejudice (TMH 31/07/12) leads him/her to some very twisted logic. Apparently same sex marriage would be an imposition. How? Is anyone pointing a gun to his/her head to force him/her to marry someone of the same sex? The real imposition, on the other hand, is one where heterosexuals can get married if they choose to, but homosexuals cannot.
P. Borġ attempts to make an academic argument; he/she quotes the Concise Oxford Dictionary. P. Borġ conveniently forgets or ignores one basic fact about language: language changes over time and dictionaries can only try to keep up. A dictionary is not a Book of Dogma.
P. Borġ's argument boils down to this: I have nothing against gays but... That "but" says it all. Discrimination by any other term remains discrimination. What's good for the goose evidently is not good for the gander.
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Dear Sir,
Michael Schembri seems to enjoy twisting facts to suit himself. I am only against using the word marriage. Marriage is a bond between two normal people (a male and a female) to fit in, in a legal way to suit the State and not necessary the church or any other people or governments.
I have a right to disagree. That is why I suggested a binding contract for a better word, to obtain legal rights if you have any.
Michael enjoys his lifestyle and good luck to him and he admitted after 16 years, that he is not contemplating marriage. I am sorry, but this is my belief. The word marriage between same sex people is off limits.
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Michael Schembri, The Maltese Herald 04/09/12
Dear Editor,
P. Borġ (TMH 28/08/12) is entitled to his/her opinion. I am entitled to my opinion of his/her opinion. To disagree with an opinion is not to deny its right to be held.
Likewise P. Borġ has the right to believe he/she is "normal". Whether that is true or not is, again, a matter of opinion.
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