Letter to the Editor - this letter appeared in the June 9, edition of the San Francisco Chronicle -

Editor -- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was correct in characterizing the recent attempt to pass the federal marriage amendment as evidence that "The Republican leadership is asking us to spend time writing bigotry into the Constitution,'' to which Sen. Orrin Hatch responded, "Does he really want to suggest that over half of the United States Senate is a crew of bigots?''
While I don't assume to speak on behalf of Sen. Kennedy, I will respond with my own answer to Sen. Hatch's question with a confident "yes.'' Yes, Sen. Hatch, if you can support an amendment to the Constitution which would relegate a group of people to second-class citizenship, you are a bigot, and so is everyone else who would support such an amendment.

In the year 2006, the issue is plain and simple, black-and-white: If you don't support the right of gay and lesbian people to enter into civil contracts with each other (which, after all, is what a marriage contract really is), you are a bigot. This is the legacy that you will pass on, when you pass on.

KENNETH ALTMAN