In an editorial, the Plattsburg Press-Republican asks what role Government should play in legislating people’s own opinions about marriage equality.

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey has it right. Same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue, and on that, the government has only one choice: to come down heavily in favor of the civil rights of everyone.

Maybe your religion frowns on homosexuality. That might certainly affect how you and your fellow worshippers feel about the issue. But it wouldn’t be any of the government’s concern.

Maybe your personal morality says marriage should be only between a man and a woman. That would surely dictate that you personally oppose homosexual marriage. But it shouldn’t propel the government into making a law against it.

Possibly, you oppose homosexual marriages because benefits such as tax breaks would accrue to more people at your expense as a taxpayer. There, perhaps the government has some soul-searching to do. But if it’s going to be fair about things, why should sexual inclination be the litmus test for who gets benefits and who doesn’t?

Their conclusion: all New Yorkers should have the same right to marry under the law–and that’s the right one.