Jonathan Hartland suggested in his letter ("Radical leftist ideas take over Democrats" Fri., Nov. 12) that those who are interested in gay marriage move to France. Well, I am interested in gay marriage, and no, I'm not moving to France. As a gay American citizen, I would like to have the same rights as my straight compatriots. I don't feel that it is unreasonable that I stand up for myself and my community, and fight for rights. I am a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen, and frankly, I am sick of being told that I do not deserve the same rights as straight citizens. You feel you can tell me to leave my country? This is my country too, and I can guarantee you that my community and I are not going to give up this fight for equal rights just because President George W. Bush won this election. Just as conservatives who viewed interracial marriage as immoral were eventually defeated, this new breed of conservatives who target my community and me will also be defeated. I am an American, and I'm gay. And I'm staying and fighting.