The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

March 11, 2010

Your View: All God's children deserve dignity, equality

By Randi Reitan, Eden Prairie

EDEN PRAIRIE — I wish Peter Etzell (Your View published March 2) could have been with us at the capitol in St. Paul as the Legislature held their historic hearings on marriage equality. The House hearing was Feb. 22 and the Senate hearing was March 1.

Etzell could have heard the simple truth that gay people need and want love in their lives. He could have seen the joy in the faces of gay couples as they spoke about the love they have for each other and shared stories of their children. He could have heard testimony from the children who dearly love their parents and long for the day when their families are treated with dignity.

Our family was asked to testify at the hearing in the state House. We were asked to share our experiences as a family with a gay child and our hopes and dreams for the day of equality. Phillip, Jacob and I each spoke in the five minutes allotted for our family’s story.

It is through personal stories that fears will be set aside and understanding will grow.

May the Peter Etzells of this world open their hearts to these stories so one day all of God’s children are treated with dignity and equality.

I only want for my son, Jacob, what I have cherished so dearly — my marriage and my family.

Randi Reitan

Eden Prairie

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