tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post115159085969450439..comments2023-11-02T09:08:09.242-07:00Comments on <i>Daddy Dialectic</i>: Same-sex parenting and kidsJeremy Adam Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733669114207985920noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post-1152040850984359112006-07-04T12:20:00.000-07:002006-07-04T12:20:00.000-07:00Our country has reconized the relationship as legi...Our country has reconized the relationship as legitimate -- in Vermont via civil unions and in Massachusetts (my current, though not original, home state).<BR/><BR/>Civil union really should be considered equivalent to civil marriage; in some states it is. I don't believe Vermont is one of those states.<BR/><BR/>In many ways, Mass is not as liberal as it thinks it is, but on this issue it gets it right; so far.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post-1151864817340601002006-07-02T11:26:00.000-07:002006-07-02T11:26:00.000-07:00OK, I admit it. I've started following what "Dear ...OK, I admit it. I've started following what "Dear Abby" has to say about gay marriage to her millions of readers. Following up on a previous comment on this subject, I would like to share July 28's column:<BR/><BR/>DEAR ABBY: I am being married this summer to my fiancee of five years, "Beth." I had always assumed that my brother, "Mike," who is also my best friend, would be my best man. Mike is gay.<BR/><BR/>When I asked him, I was stunned at his response. Mike said he loves me and Beth, but refuses to be part of a ceremony celebrating something for which he is discriminated against emotionally, financially and socially. He refuses even to attend.<BR/><BR/>Now that I have been forced to confront this issue, I realize my brother is right. Beth thinks he should "get over it," and he needs to accept that it's just "the way things are in the world."<BR/><BR/>As hurt as I am, I can't hold against my brother his refusal to participate in what he refers to as a "reminder that he is considered a second-class citizen without the same civil rights" as I have.<BR/><BR/>How can I handle this without turning it into something that could overshadow what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life? -- DISAPPOINTED IN WESTLAKE, OHIO<BR/><BR/>DEAR DISAPPOINTED: By respecting your brother's decision, and reminding your bride-to-be that accepting the status quo is not always the best thing to do. Women were once considered chattel, and slavery was regarded as sanctioned in the Bible. However, western society grew to recognize that neither was just. Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain have recognized gay marriage, and one day, perhaps, our country will, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com