I have been a devout Catholic for all of my 75 years. The church has been a source of comfort for me in difficult times and my faith has rarely wavered. However, the recent debate on whether same-sex couples should marry is troubling me. On one hand, I understand the ambivalence of some of my fellow parishioners, maybe because I’m old fashioned and tradition is dear to me. On the other hand, my daughter is a lesbian.

When she came out, I was heartbroken and disappointed. I feared that she could not find happiness, and it hurt to know how others would feel about her (and me). That was 29 years ago, and I’ve since realized she couldn’t have found happiness any other way.

I am blessed with three sons and one daughter, who all grew up to be responsible and loving parents. I am also a “Memere” to eight beautiful grandchildren, two of whom were born to my daughter’s partner of 12 years. Those two grandchildren deserve the same protections that marriage offers to my six other grandchildren. To deny marriage affects them and I can’t vote for that.

Some people refuse to be accepting, but the reality is that gay people are part of any close community and deserve equality. Most Mainers, Catholics included, are fair-minded. I urge others to help pass on a legacy of equal rights to our children and grandchildren and join me in voting “no” on Question 1.

Irene Coady, Auburn