My partner and I have chosen Maine as our home for 25 years. We have chosen to raise our son here. As a mother, I want to protect my family.

We have taken as many legal protections as we can to make a legal connection for our family. It was difficult to explain to our son, who was 6 years old at the time, why his parents cannot be married in Maine. He would like his parents to be married, just like his friends’ parents are married.

Marriage equality would ensure that our family has full protection under the law. Marriage equality is our family’s future.

Nicole Jedrey-Irvin,

Nancy Jedrey-Irvin,

Durham