Dear Editor:
What better day than St. Valentine's Day, the day of love, to celebrate the joy of marriage. Marriage brings families together, unites our loved ones, and receives the blessings of society for years to come.
Except, of course, if you are lesbian or gay. Our loving unions are not legally recognized. Our families are torn apart. Our children are taken away from us. We are subjected to pervasive discrimination because we can't get married. And the discrimination is real. We are denied sick leave to care for our partners. Our wills are ignored. From tax benefits and pensions to family health coverage and child custody, same-sex couples are second-class in the eyes of the law and society.
We need to stop discrimination. We need to give individuals, not the state, the right to decide if and when they will accept the rights and responsibilities of marriage. It's about basic human rights--the right to love, cherish and support.
I look forward to the day when lesbian and gay couples (or my partner and I) can live free of discrimination and intolerance and protect the health and well being of our families and loving relationships here in (your town).
Sign your name
(most media require a name, phone number and address for confirmation
of the letter, although they only typically publish the name and town of
the writer).
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