Editor:

Once again, an editor of a major newspaper in Wyoming has classified people who are not married, yet living together, as second-class citizens. This extends to more than lesbians and gay men, but to all domestic partners. Is it fair for those in committed relationships other than marriage to be classified and treated in this manner?

It is my belief that the governor and his staff are wrong in asking for "across-the-board" budget cuts rather than looking at each department and division to see what is needed and what can be changed. It is wrong to close a facility and lay people off at the University of Wyoming and any other organization without looking at how revenue can be enhanced. We have an opportunity in our state to look at our entire tax structure and see where we are lax and where we can improve it.

Perhaps now is the time for the Legislature and governor to look at changing our marriage laws to allow LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) people to be able to have a civil union in our state so they can have those rights the same as others. If we were to have civil union for all, gay and straight, the churches would then be free to bless marriages in whatever way they see proper, or to not bless them.

Now may be the time to join the movement of other states to make this a reality in Wyoming. In any case, we need to rethink the issue of insuring the domestic partners of anyone in the state, as a general practice, and make it happen.

REV. ROBERT D. SPENCER, Cheyenne