At Our Age, You Would Think No One Would Have Any Objection
By Susan Lee, Florence, Ohio
I am approaching 75 years of age. A couple of years ago, I fell in love with a wonderful woman, also more than 60 years old, and we decided we wanted to live together. She moved from almost 2,000 miles away to be with me. We are in a loving, committed, monogamous relationship for our lifetimes. For most of our respective lives, we had been either in bad marriages, or single after a bad marriage. We each have children and grandchildren.
I met with a great deal of angst and anger from my family members, who continue to welcome their drugged-out kids into their homes, or forgive daughters who get pregnant out of wedlock, or those who are bad parents — but who can’t deal with a mother who is a lesbian! My church excommunicated me, but that was for the best. I have no animosity toward them, except for their efforts to stop gays and lesbians from getting married.
It would mean everything to us if we could become legally married — for the practical reasons of insurance, [Social Security] survivor’s benefits, hospital visitations, etc., but mostly for the peace of mind that would come to us. We know we will always be together, but at our age, you would think no one would have any objection to a couple of old ladies being given the respect due to us as good members of the community, as good neighbors and simply as good people.