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Hugh Hefner Writes Impassioned Letter in Support of Gay Marriage

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Hugh Hefner on February 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is speaking out in support of same-sex marriage for the first time.

In a passionate editorial letter featured in Playboy's September issue, Hefner, 86, says the fight for gay marriage is "a fight for all our rights."

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"Without it, we will turn back the sexual revolution and return to an earlier, puritanical time," he writes in support of gay marriage via Politico. "Today, in every instance of sexual rights falling under attack, you'll find legislation forced into place by people who practice discrimination disguised as religious freedom. Their goal is to dehumanize everyone's sexuality and reduce us to using sex for the sole purpose of perpetuating our species. To that end, they will criminalize your entire sex life."

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He continues, "[Conservatives] assault the right of gays, whether by denying them the right to marry or, as in Kansas, by attempting to empower landlords, business owners and employers to discriminate against gays on religious grounds . . . This is a religious nation, but it is also a secular one."

"No one should have to subjugate their religious freedom, and no one should have their personal freedoms infringed," Hefner concludes. "This is America and we must protect the rights of all Americans."

Related: PHOTOS: Stars who care

Hefner is pleased with the response his letter has already received. He tweeted Wednesday, "My editorial titled 'Sexual Freedom' on gay rights in the September issue of Playboy is generating a lot of positive response."

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