Former spouse: Denial of protections is appalling
By David Pausch
"Just over a year ago, my then wife and I separated after 5.5 years of marriage. We made this decision for many reasons, as is generally the case when a marriage breaks up, but the biggest reason was that she had come out of the closet as a lesbian. We have since divorced and are still very close. In fact, I would call her one of my best friends.
"She has since found a wonderful partner who makes her ecstatically happy. The idea that she and her partner could be restricted, legally, from enjoying all the trappings and benefits of their relationship, while I am not simply because I have a preference for women, is appalling to me. That she would be denied all avenues of love and happiness straight members of our society enjoy is simply unacceptable to me – and should be to anyone who believes, as I do, that loving and stable marriages and relationships are primary components of a successful society."
David Pausch, Madison, Wis.
April 22, 2004