Who are the real liberals on gay marriage?

Some same-sex marriage supporters are illiberal on a fundamental level

Gay marriage
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer))

I received a lot of praise for my column on how both sides of the gay marriage debate exhibit bigotry. But the column also inspired a lot of fury. Critics wrote me personally and took to Twitter to denounce me for describing some supporters of gay marriage as illiberal — and for standing up for the rights of those who oppose equal rights for homosexuals. Over and over I was asked: Isn't this like defending neo-Nazis or a lynch mob while criticizing the intolerance of those they seek to oppress? And all in the name of liberalism? It's outrageous. And offensive. And confused.

I'll admit it: Put like this, it does sound confusing.

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Damon Linker

Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also a former contributing editor at The New Republic and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test.