Letter: For the love of family, vote 'no' on amendment

To the Editor:

We are asking you to vote no this November on the marriage amendment because we feel everyone in our family deserves every opportunity that comes their way.

We feel that family (marriage) is exactly what we as individuals make of it. It will mean very different things to very different people, so when you have two consenting adults, no one should be able to dictate their lives and how they live it.

Our family grew last year when we had the honor of attending the marriage of our cousin and her girlfriend of many years in Boston. It was one of the most beautiful, heartfelt weddings we had ever been to. Surrounded by families and close friends, everyone was made to feel welcome and accepted.

We are delighted that our family will grow by one more as we anxiously await the arrival of their baby boy due this winter. We are thankful that they were given the same opportunity to fulfill their personal dreams of marriage and family as we were. These are the same dreams we hope our sister will experience someday as well.

So while this amendment may not affect the people in your family, it does affect the people in ours. Please consider this.

Voting no will not legalize same-sex marriages in Minnesota. Voting no will not jeopardize your marriage. Voting no will not weaken your faith. Voting no says you understand that although our families may be different, our hopes and dreams for them are not.

We have a 2-year-old son whom we love more each and every day, even when we think it couldn’t be possible. We would no doubt sacrifice our own lives if it meant saving his. Please think of your children and grandchildren, those here and those yet to be born. Imagine one of them coming to you one day to tell you that he/she is gay. Can you really say you would love them any less or want any less for them?

Don’t make a decision today that could affect the sons/daughters of generations to come. Please vote no this November.

Nikki Lewis

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters, election