Sir, – Michael Austin counts himself among those who believe same-sex marriage to be "biologically impossible" (November 12th). In all my years of scientific and medical training, nowhere have I come across the biological process of marriage. There is a social construct of marriage and a religious construct of marriage, both of which are engaged with during traditional "church" marriages. Both these constructs involve the ideal of two individuals who love one another and are willing to commit publicly to one another. It should only be the religious version of marriage that is allowed to exclude same-sex couples, based on that religion's particular beliefs system. The state should remain blind to the gender make up of any loving couple brave enough to seek permanent union. – Yours, etc,
Dr MAITIU Ó FAOLAIN ,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.
A chara, – If we vote next year to extend the meaning of “marriage” to cover same-sex relationships, how, in fairness can we refuse to include bisexual relationships? – Is mise,
PÁDRAIG McCARTHY,
Sandyford,
Dublin.