A response to Bryant Trew,I wish to commend you on your recent article, “If the shoe were on the other foot” (RG, February 19, 2016). What I found particularly poignant was your argument below:“This, of course, begs the question, why are those vehemently opposed to SSM not threatened by the divorce rate, incidents of spousal abuse or child abuse, out-of-wedlock births, irresponsible absentee fathers, irresponsible child-dependent mothers, promiscuity or infidelity?”My position is that the occurrences that you have highlighted are far more injurious to modern society than legalising of same-sex marriage could ever be, as evidenced by our enormous fiscal resources directed towards social assistance and legal aid initiatives that seek to address the irresponsible conduct by some heterosexual members of our society. I would like Preserve Marriage to acknowledge that Bermuda remains a democracy, not a theocracy; therefore, its people are not governed by the religious convictions of a few. In a democratic society, all citizens must be afforded equal rights under the constitution. Thanks again for your insightful counterargument on the issue.DWAYNE THOMPSON, PhD, former human rights commissioner