I would like to respond to Steve Jones' letter published last week which derided those who would wish to battle the injustice contained in the recently passed Proposition 8.

Before 1967, marriage between black and white people was illegal. 1967, in relative terms, is practically yesterday.

And now, here we stand at another sociological precipice.

Like virtually every landmark decision that precedes it, the right for same-sex couples to marry will be hard fought, but ultimately the equal rights guaranteed by our Constitution will prevail, and the cherry-picking of biblical instruction (so far we haven't adopted that old stoning to death of women who ovulate in public) will surrender, and we will all enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The vast sums of cash provided by the Mormon Church toward the cause of passing Prop. 8 should remove them from taxexempt status, period. Ellen DeGeneres' contributions were drawn from, what I would assume, were post-tax earnings. Further, while one side was lobbying to deny rights, the other was fighting to provide or maintain them. Just because the rights in question were not specifically Mr. Jones', they are no less precious.

I am straight and have been married to the same member of the opposite sex for 16 years. My friends Carol and Cecily have been monogamous for five or so and were married here in California last year (even they're not sure if they still are).

They pay taxes; they love each other, and they live under the same Constitution. This isn't about winning or losing a debate about what words should apply to which couples; it's about time.

In time those who would wish to deny rights to others will be forced by law or sheer intolerance fatigue to stand down. You can pass a measure here or there, but Jefferson's spectacular instrument of national vision will always win. Steve Ochs Simi Valley