Joe Fitzgerald just doesn’t get it: Even in a democracy, the civil rights of a minority group must never be subjected to a majority vote (“ ‘Cultural War’ won at democracy’s cost,” Nov. 19). I hope he never has to experience the indignity of having his intimate life choices discussed, debated and then voted on by the public. What can I expect next - ballot initiatives to determine whether gay and lesbian people should be allowed to parent their own children, hold office, own land or receive medical care? Is that what “democracy” means to Fitzgerald?

John H. Bickford Jr., Peabody