I do not believe that Father Brian Jordan, as chaplain of the New York City Building Trades Council, and Edward Malloy, as president of the State Building Trades Council, are empowered to speak for the members of the building trades in matters social and spiritual. I sincerely doubt that their views reflect those of their gay members—oh, yes, you have them!

While homosexual couples do not procreate, many gay and lesbian couples have children and are truly “families.” I agree that marriage is a “social institution of creating and nurturing a family.” Why limit that institution to only those who are heterosexual?

As for the Conference of Bishops’ concern for homosexuals as expressed in their documents “Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons” and “A Pastoral Message for Parents of Homosexual Children,” the very existence of these documents signifies the Catholic Church’s discrimination against homosexuals.

Please do not pretend to speak on what “we in the building trades unions believe” on personal and moral issues. You do not have that right.

Dave Kocak

Kenmore