Letter - Consider future happiness when voting on marriage amendment

To the editor:

If the amendment to limit marriage to a man and woman passes, the only option for people, gay or straight, wanting to be in a legal relationship, is to marry someone of the opposite sex. Because of discrimination, it is estimated there are 2.5 million mixed orientation marriages in the United States.

When I sought help from the Straight Spouse Network because my husband was gay, 10,000 straight spouses had contacted the organization for support for their faltering mixed-orientation marriages.

You may think, “This could never happen to me!” That’s what I thought. Most of us think we will never get cancer or lose a child. But gays and lesbians are just as intelligent, talented, kind, loving and fun (all the things I was looking for in a mate) as heterosexuals, so committing to someone like that is very appealing!

When I finally told my story, many people said, “But I taught with him, sang in the church choir with him, he was my child’s favorite teacher!”

I urge you to consider the future happiness of your children, grandchildren, and all others who want to be in committed relationships, both straight and gay. Vote no on this amendment.

Gayle (Reiter) Harrington

Alexandria, MN

(A paid political letter)

Tags: opinion, letters