Top Chef's Tom Colicchio spoke out for marriage equality following an episode this week in which contestants were required to cook for a wedding. Lesbian contestant Ashley voiced anger at being forced to cook for a wedding when same-sex couples are not allowed to marry. Another lesbian contestant, Preeti, was not as angry even though she's been with her partner for 13 years.
Said Colicchio in a blog post: 
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say a few words about same-sexmarriage: First of all, part of the problem with the issue is that itis framed by opponents as a discussion of whether gay people should getspecial rights. This is specious – yes, special legislation or courtdecisions grant them the right to wed in a particular state, howeverthis is done to ensure that they share equal protection under the lawby finally being able to avail themselves of the same rights aseveryone else. They are not seeking special treatment, just equitabletreatment. Second, religion has no business being part of thediscussion. When a couple is wed in a house of worship, the officiantmay be performing a religious rite, but as far as the law is concerned,that officiant has been authorized to perform a civil function, plainand simple. And even were same-sex marriage to be legalized by thestate, no one would be holding a gun to the heads of the clergy torequire them to perform a ceremony that their faith or personal creeddoes not condone. Just as some rabbis would not perform my marriage tomy wife because I wasn't Jewish, clergy can decline performing same-sexmarriages; gay couples can either find clergy willing to officiate orcan be wed in a civil setting. The idea that religious leaders arecontinuing to shape state law is just wrong. The institution ofmarriage should be available to all. The idea that you can have alife-long partner and not make decisions for them in a hospital, notshare in insurance benefits, not automatically have parental rightsunless you are the birth parent, is just flat-out wrong."
Watch the segment of the show with Ashley's complaint, AFTER THE JUMP…
