To solve issue, change spelling

To the editor:

An NBC poll in late June found that 51 percent of respondents favored a constitutional amendment making gay marriage unconstitutional. However, a CBS poll in late May found that 57 percent of respondents favored either gay marriage or civil unions, while 40 percent were opposed to both. So a majority of Americans appear to favor allowing gay couples the rights and benefits of marriage -- inheriting property, making medical decisions for their partners, eligibility for health care and pension benefits -- but calling such a union "marriage" is the deal-breaker.

Here's a modest proposal to solve this problem. Let's allow two men or two women to form a partnership, and we'll call it "mariage." Such a couple won't be married -- they'll just be "maried." They can have all the same benefits and responsibilities, and those of us who are married with two R's can breathe easy knowing that our institution hasn't been sullied by association with gays and lesbians. Meanwhile society benefits from the decreased promiscuity and increased community stability fostered by long-term committed relationships, no matter who the partners are. As a bonus, this proposal will promote increased attention to spelling among Americans, bringing joy to English teachers everywhere.

ALLEN GATHMAN

Pocahontas