Dear Editor,
KUDOS for Jessica Osman’s “Papa, Can You Hear Me?”
In her March 17 op-ed, she was so right when she said that for EQUAL RIGHTS we should take the word “marriage” out of the equation and go for words that would grant equality, such as “civil unions.” In the aura of separation of church and state, our fight has been from the religious zealots protecting the sanctity of their hallowed “marriage.” Why should we care what we call it as long as we get the legal rights we constitutionally deserve? I would like for my partner of 17 years to be able to inherit my social security benefits, along with the other thousand or so benefits a legal union provides, and I don’t think there would be so much objection to this if a different term other than “marriage” were used. Let’s get the EQUAL RIGHTS first, which I am sure most people do not object to, then if semantics need be involved that issue could be addressed down the line. My “husband” and myself were legally “married” in Canada, but if the words were “domestic partner” or “civil partner” it certainly wouldn’t matter to us. C’mon, gay America, let’s get over this hurdle and, as Jessica stated, “find the middle ground.” I’m sure our battle for equality would be greatly streamlined.
Sincerely,
Mike Gaupin
(And Jon Gorcyca)
Dear Editor
Your article on Sexual Racism or Just a Preference really made me think about my own life. Years ago, I had a serious weight problem and still struggle with it on a daily basis.
I thought about all the times I would see someone on the street and they would look at me with disgust. I remember the times I would see someone that I was interested in meeting, smile at them and they would not return the smile or look the other way or online in a chat room when the “what’s your stats” question would come up and would answer honestly and there would be no reply after … it hurt. Sexual Racism or Just a Preference, could it be both? Then I started to think about have I excluded someone based on this? Were they too short or tall, did they have a couple of extra pounds or were they too thin, not muscular enough? I realize as I get older … why would I exclude anyone? If you exclude someone you are really excluding yourself from possibly meeting someone really special or possibly missing out experiencing something new because of this person. I now say hello to the person walking down the street. If they extend their hand for a handshake I will extend my hand as well. If I don’t I may never know if I missed out on meeting someone truly spectacular.
Sincerely,
Joe Liquori