Hunter's Canvas

McCain on Ellen Degeneres discussing gay contracts*

*marriage

If it takes Dear Abby saying it's OK to be gay, then so be it

Dear Abby (Jeanne Phillips, daughter of the original Dear Abby) was recently interviewed by the AP on her advice to readers regarding gays.  She's so reasonable and caring - qualities so many people lack in this country.  Here are some highlights:

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"I believe if two people want to commit to each other, God bless 'em," the syndicated advice columnist told The Associated Press. "That is the highest form of commitment, for heaven's sake.

"If gay Americans are not allowed to get married and have all the benefits that American citizens are entitled to by the Bill of Rights, they should get one hell of a tax break. That is my opinion," said Phillips, who speaks with the no-nonsense tone of someone who is used to settling debates.

"Right now, Abby, as Phillips prefers to be called, is working on a reply to a woman who wanted to know whether she should include childhood photographs of her transgender brother-in-law in a family album. The woman is worried what she will tell her children when they see pictures of their uncle as a little girl.

Phillips' guidance to Worried Reader will be simple, she said: Include the photos, of course. Silence is the enemy. Answer any questions the kids have honestly — Uncle John was born with a body of the wrong sex, so even when he was called Jane he was really John inside."

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It's so refreshing to hear someone advocating openness! What a concept! We need to start talking about human qualities that scare so many of us in this country.  And though I think I would advise the reader with a transgender brother-in-law to ask him what he wanted, the fact that her response is forcing a discussion and acceptance, I'm all for it. 

What are people so afraid of in this country??  Gays, poor people, blacks, immigrants - this list is too long!  We need to move this society in a new direction.

Thanks for the link Lauren! CRED for pic.