Gay People Believe In Family Values, Too

[ruggerson]

A very powerful letter from a Wisconsin veteran.

Mods: I posted the entire thing so that people may read it more easily. I hope that passes muster as it is a letter, not a news item.

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2006/04/21/editorials/letters/let01.txt

Posted: Friday, Apr 21, 2006 - 11:57:33 am CDT

Gay people believe in family values, too

I'm inviting Wisconsin's state legislators who oppose gay marriage or civil unions for gays to meet with me and my paralyzed life partner in our home. I want to hear from you in an up close and personal manner why you see couples like us as a threat to the sanctity of marriage. What I don't want from you is a form letter or a simplistic response.

Phil Anderson, my partner, and I have been together since we first met in Wausau more than 17 years ago when I was city editor of the Daily Herald. After Phil was paralyzed from the waist down in a February 2001 auto accident, he has since endured a major stroke, multiple seizures, numerous infections, femur reconstruction, lung surgery and gallbladder surgery.

As we try to cope with life's challenges, Phil and I are demoralized when we read news accounts of legislators - clergy, too, for that matter - who demonize gays. It especially sickens us when some of you say you oppose gay marriage or civil unions because you believe in family. Good heavens, we believe in family, too. After all, members of our families have rallied to provide support in so many ways, including building a wheelchair ramp so Phil can get in and out of our home.

Phil is a Marine veteran and I'm an Army vet. Both of us have served our country admirably and both of us are grateful for the care Phil has received from the staff of the spinal cord injury unit at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. We appreciate everyone there for treating us with dignity and respect. They certainly don't fear us and our “lifestyle.”

Meanwhile, Phil and I continue to hope - and pray - that light awaits us at the end of what has been a long dark tunnel. If you are among those legislators who are against gay marriage or civil unions, I'm hoping that you have the decency to meet with us before you cause any additional harm to gays in loving and committed relationships.

Bill Hetland
Kenosha

(The writer is a native of the Rock River Valley, growing up in nearby Belvidere, Ill. He is a former managing editor of the Belvidere Daily Republican. - Editor)

[MADem]

1. What is so pathetic, here in the 21st Century, is that such a concept

(Gay People Believe In Family Values, Too) would even invite a QUESTION, or have to be defended.

It makes you wonder how some people can be so stupid, or mean, or intolerant, or all of the above...

[Democrats_win]

4. IMHO religion helps them justify their hatred and intolerance.

It's odd since Jesus' Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that "vengence is his" if there is any wrong doing and demands that everyone "do unto others as they would have others do unto them."

That's why I call them false christians. They are 100% against God.

[peacebird]

2. military vets, together longer than many traditional married couples. K&R!

It is an extremely powerful, moving letter.

:grouphug:

May it help to open the hearts and eyes of those who fear gay people....

[Ian David]

3. How long until we take away medical coverage for gay veterans?

We've gotta win in 2006 and 2008.

[peacebird]

5. we have got to win to stop this incessant drumbeat dehumanizing gays

This constant barrage of BS about the "evil" of gays and their "threat" to moral values, traditional families, mom, and apple pie...

Another post today had a huge article listing the repukes convicted of sexual abuses of children, rape, & sexual perversity of all sorts - including forced sodomy on young boys, and THEY are the "moral values" crowd?!?

puh-lease.... Give me Phil & Bill any day over these hypocrites.

[Sinti]

6. The problem is that they define morals and values very differently n/t

[ruggerson]

7. Who do?

[Sinti]

8. The hateful Religiofacist Right Wing

The old fashioned concept of morals being helping one another and generally doing well by your fellow man, and family values meaning "you take care of your family" is a relic to them. They have a whole new definition.

[ruggerson]

9. Exactly

they are the most un-Christlike group of "Christians" you'd ever want to meet.

Their total disconnect from what Christ actually stood for is truly breathtaking.

[Sinti]

10. They happily throw away family members, children and elderly

Unruly children and infirm old folk requiring too much attention (not necessarily medically requiring 24-hour care), get tossed to the wolves every day. They don't treat their own well, let alone treat "the least of these" as they would their so-called Lord himself. I feel sorry for Jesus, all the crap that's done in his name. Kind of makes me wish he really is a myth, and didn't exist. (sorry for the rant there :) )

I like to think, however, that we (humanity in general) will evolve into a better, more peace loving species and at least care as much for our own as the other animals do.

[terrya]

11. K & R. This is an amazing letter.

And...both Bill and Phil are vets. And they're gay.

How can the hatemongers justify their bigotry in response to this letter? These are two guys who have given their lives in service to their country. They've both have dealt with some serious problems. This is a marriage. You can see the love and committment they share. But it's not a legal marriage...because...well...well, why the fuck ISN'T it a legally recognized marriage? Oh, yeah...because of hate and bigotry.

[xchrom]

12. step legislators! step up religous leaders -- lets see

your courage in the face of these two.

none of you talibornagain and talbornagain vote seeking whores have the nerve to show up on their doorstep.

not a one of you.

[ThomCat]

13. It's a shame that we need letters like this.

But I applaud them for this. It puts their life out there in the public eye, but it's what people need to see.

[Maven]

14. Damn 24-hour rule.

Great letter.