business
S&P elevates Maine's credit rating from negative to stable
More in business

politics
Schneider says he'll resign AG post if he wins Maine GOP primary
More in politics

sports
Polky named new Spruce Mountain football coach
More in sports

lifestyle
Denny Breau, mom Betty Cody will come together for concert
More in lifestyle

Marriage or civil union

Loraine Gustafson
Letters |
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

These are my thoughts on the marriage issue of Question 1 on the November ballot.

I don't disagree about two men or two women being together; that's their choice. What I disapprove of is the word "marriage" being applied to their union.

Call it a civil union, with all legal rights that go with it.

I am 78 years old, a widow married for 52 years. I don't wish to be dishonored, or my children dishonored, for what I had and loved and worked at — a marriage — by giving homosexual unions the same name.

It isn't marriage versus civil unions. It is a marriage or a civil union.

Loraine Gustafson, Chesterville

More from Letters

R. Sabine: Judging the need and the truth 2
P. Mador: Remember their sacrifice
J. Grover: Religious state of Maine 1
R. Baskett: Council's decision promotes civic engagement 2
M. Jalbert: Taking earmarked money 2
more

Stay informed — Get the news delivered for free in your inbox.

I'm interested in ...

In order to make comments, you must verify your account.

In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.

Login or create an account here.

Our policy prohibits comments that are:

  • Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
  • Excessively foul and/or vulgar
  • Inappropriately sexual
  • Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
  • Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
  • Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.

Advertisement

Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

listitemalt's picture

The Us Supreme Court ruled

By listitemalt, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 22:10

The Us Supreme Court ruled in 19967 that marriage is one of the "fundamental rights of man", so it is already established law that marriage is a basic civil right.

Marriage is intertwined so deeply into Maine law that it would take a huge volume of new laws to make civil unions have all of the rights of marriage and that would still not adress the civil rights issues.

Insisting that marriage equality somehow equals "special rights" and that gays should only have something that is legally similar by another name is just a new way of trying to enforce "separate but equal" on a minority population.

The US Supreme court also has ruled that "separate but equal" is a violation of the constitution.

Gil's picture

First off, without help from

By Gil, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 23:51

First off, without help from Doc Brown and his flux capacitor you could have no idea what the Supremes will decide in 19967. Second, what Supreme court decision are you talking about? Third, comparing gay marriage to civil rights is a tired ploy that just reeks of idiocy. I'm sure that blacks (who, by the way, overwhelmingly are against gay marriage) do not appreciate the comparison. Separate but equal does not apply.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate

ben427's picture

Sammie- those facts are

By ben427, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 19:39

Sammie- those facts are from a way outdate psychology book, and it is proved bullshit.

FeloPrergoHok's picture

Benjamin - are you pitching

By FeloPrergoHok, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 18:36

Benjamin - are you pitching a hissy fit. Those nasty "FACTS" about the gay lifestyle do get in the way. I am sorry that it offends you.
For the rest of you rational people please consider the facts and not the obtuse, inveighing cries of certain people.

gdls1's picture

Sammie, What IS your agenda?

By gdls1, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 18:42

Sammie, What IS your agenda?

ben427's picture

SAMMIE- you are a complete

By ben427, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 17:11

SAMMIE- you are a complete ignoramus. At no point in your incoherent babbling did you make any sense. What you said is neither proof nor a valid opinion. No one has a choice, you can try hiding your homosexuality, but there should not be a reason to. Sammie people like you make me sick, and I am glad the world is not full of so many morons.

FeloPrergoHok's picture

There is NO definitive

By FeloPrergoHok, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 15:26

There is NO definitive genetic proof of homosexuality. There is some genetic predisposition evidence of gayness but it is no more definitive than the evidence that some people are born with a genetic predisposition to be more aggressive or a genetic predisposition to become an alcoholic. Moreover, society doesn't state that we NOT hold the aggressive person accountable for an aggressive crime or an alcoholic doesn't get off when he drives drunk and kills or maims someone . . . just because he or she was born that way. Same with homosexuals - just because you have a genetic predisposition to be more masculine or feminine doesn't mean you are born gay! You choose to be different and join a population that numbers about 2 - 3% of the United States 300 million + people (based on psychologically empericial, peer-reviewed studies). You wish to "normalize" an aberrant behavior so that you can take others down that dank hole (pun intended) into a lifestyle that leads to problems as no one can deny.

citrus's picture

The mindless fools are the

By citrus, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:41

The mindless fools are the progressives.

citrus's picture

The mindless fools are the

By citrus, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:41

The mindless fools are the progressives.

ben427's picture

Thank You for your point of

By ben427, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:24

Thank You for your point of view THEGAYMAINER--- I think you submit this as an editorial in the tomorrows newspapers. NO will pass, and if not on NOV. 3rd...then in the near future. Progression cannot be stopped...not even if some mindless fools stand in the way.

bellegarde24's picture

Ah to late really the

By bellegarde24, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:58

Ah to late really the election letters deadline was the 23 so I've no hopes of getting it it but thanks anyway

citrus's picture

Liberalism is a mental mind

By citrus, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:18

Liberalism is a mental mind disorder.
If you are for traditional marriage, they call you a bigot.
If you think Obamas far left policies are wrong, your called a racist
If your for legal imigration, you hate hispanics.
If you disagee with global warming, you hate the earth.

bellegarde24's picture

You know this is something

By bellegarde24, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 10:33

You know this is something that I've always wondered about

Now I know this might not be the time or place to bring it up but Mr. Chick, Gill Sammie. Mind if I ask you something.

You all say that gay folks shouldn't have "special" rights based on our "choice" to be gay...

While I'd debate the special part of that or the choice for that matter It does bring up a question. Why do you folks have special rights that protect your choice?

Ohh and I'm not making the silly argument about when did you choose to be straight. no I know that your sexual orientation is no more a choice then mine. What I am asking you is why should you have special rights that protect your choice to be religious. No one is born Christian, or Jewish, or Muslim for that mater. I haven't seen a single scrap of evidence showing that there is any genetic basis for any religious denomination. Sure you can be born into a religious family by two parents of the same faith but that's not guarantee that you will become a member of that religion. So then your faith is a chioce. so why is that choice protected by the government, and why are so many people so bound and determined that there choice and only there choice is the one that the government should protect? I mean You chose to be christian, and you then turn around and yell at us because we want the same rights you have, you yell that some how our our wish for equality is impinging on the choice you made? Please explain that to me

And why is your choice anymore valid the some one else? there are religions in the state and country that are more then happy to validate same sex unions as marriages. Why is your choice to follow the system that says no any more valid then there chioce to follow the one that says yes?

ben427's picture

Loraine--- First off, I

By ben427, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 09:42

Loraine--- First off, I noticed that you made homosexuality out to be a CHOICE. Either you used the wrong words, or you are ignorant and do not realize that It is not a choice. You are born Either Heterosexual, or Homosexual. Second of all, I am a heterosexual and plan on getting married one day myself. It is not a dishonor to Marriage if Same-sex couples are allowed to marry. It is actually a dishonor to my future marriage, if mine is called a marriage, and a same sex couples is called a civil union. This is a crime against civil rights. VOTE NO ON 1, I already did and I hope enough people are smart enough to realize that this is about EQUALITY. Mainers should not even have a say in this referendum. It has nothing to do with Heterosexuals, and a yes vote is a vote for HATE.

Scotty_O's picture

This issue is tiresome, like

By Scotty_O, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 09:40

This issue is tiresome, like the last season of "Friends". Right now, I just want the f'ing economy fixed so people can get back to work. This issue and healthcare...two politcal magic tricks to keep our simple minds off of our economy falling off a cliff.

FeloPrergoHok's picture

The vote is on Nov. 3rd.

By FeloPrergoHok, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 09:25

The vote is on Nov. 3rd. Worried as I am about a NO vote winning because of the potentially devastating effects on our children and society, I feel optimistic that the people of Maine are tired of the 'quite effective' but misled, invidious national gay lobby and their efforts to once again shove their beliefs down our throats. They want PRIVILEGES not RIGHTS! Read the statistics of established gay marriage countries. Read about the exponential increases in sexually-related diseases within the gay community. Read of the promiscuity of the gays. It is so ingrained in our schools now that 12 year olds are "coming out" proclaiming themselves to be Bi-sexual and they've never even kissed another. Voting for Gay Marriage will stamp it as all right and mainstreamed to further increase it in the schools as we have clearly seen in Massachusetts.
Ask yourself - is this what we want in Maine -- is this the advertising and promotion that we want to be known for -- do we want to be the first state in the USA (out of 30) to vote gay marriage in? VOTE YES for MARRIAGE on Nov 3rd.

mad dad's picture

I didn't see any question in

By mad dad, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 07:49

I didn't see any question in Lorraine's letter. I saw an opinion which is shared by many other Mainers. That is a right of freedom of speech which is included in the Bill of Rights I believe. Let the name calling begin.

Gil's picture

What a load of hogwash

By Gil, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 07:46

What a load of hogwash triumph. Marriage is, was, and always should be between a man and a woman. Changing the definition of the word changes it's entire meaning. That is what she was saying. And this 3/5 nonsense is only spouted by brain dead libs who have no sense of history and no clue of what they are talking about.
John 28 - name one actual "right" that homosexual partners are not afforded. And don't include the legal crap that everyone tries to pass off as a right. Those are actually privileges gained by entering into a legal partnership. Marriage is not a right, stop pretending that it is.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate

triumph's picture

What you are saying, madam,

By triumph, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 07:19

What you are saying, madam, is that being gay is dishonorable. That is, by definition, homophobia. "–noun unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality. "In the past, this country, by law, declared 5 black people equal to 3 white people. It's time to stop scoring the value of human beings and their relationships based on who they are and how they were created.

jchick's picture
verified

We are created male and

By John Chick, verified user — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 08:59

We are created male and female.

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

John 28's picture

Loraine, the simple answer

By John 28, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 07:04

Loraine, the simple answer to your question is that Civil Rights and Marriage does NOT mean the same in the Laws of Maine. If the word 'Marriage' was to be removed from man and woman 'marriage', and called 'civil union', then by the laws of Maine, you would lose over 1000 'equal rights for all'. Think about it and check it out.

jchick's picture
verified

If all you want are the

By John Chick, verified user — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 08:56

If all you want are the bennefits the law bestows on married couples, then change the law and leave the definition of marriage alone.

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

Advertisement

nation
Food stamp fraud raising concern in government offices
More in nation

local
Auburn Council gives L/A Arts allocation to Community Little Theatre
More in local

maine
Damage could knock nuclear submarine out of action
More in maine

opinion
Politicians should stick to their duties
More in opinion