Congratulate the Netherlands!
Love Exiles is grateful to the Netherlands for its leadership in being
the first country to open up marriage to same-sex couples.
We received many letters of thanks to Mayor Job Cohen and Henk Krol of
the Gay Krant for their role in making the Netherlands the first country
in the world to end marriage discrimination. Below are some of those letters.
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Dear Mayor Cohen,
I am a married, Catholic, mother of three. I live in the beautiful state
of California. We live a simple but fulfilling life. We enjoy spending
our time with family and friends. Unfortunately, some of our family is
not able to be with us because our government is too archaic to understand
that love has no boundaries.
Love moves from person to person, not looking for the "appropriate"
gender, it looks for those individuals who will receive it and give it.
Love is something you give to someone, hoping they will care for it, cherish
it and return it to you twice the size.
My sisters in law, Martha and Lin share this love. I am so thankful to
you and your government for recognizing that love is love no matter who
shares it. It's sad that they can't be here with their family everyday.
We miss them terribly. But we are grateful to you and your government
for understanding their love and commitment to each other and allowing
them to receive all the rights offered to any married couple.
Congratulations on your five year anniversary of recognizing gay marriages.
Respectfully,
Jeannie McDevitt
Gilroy, Ca USA
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Dear Mayor Cohen,
Congratulations again on the five year celebrations for gay marriages.
The following is a letter from my eleven year old California boy:
Dear Martha and Lin,
Happy 5th anniversary for gay marriage. We miss you Martha and Lin. We
don't want you to live far away. I wish you could live here Martha and
Lin. I love you Martha and Lin.
From,
Kenny
Our children from California support you.
Respectfully,
Jeannie Mcdevitt
Dear Mayor Cohen,
The following is a letter from a nine year old boy in California:
Dear Martha,
Congratulations on your anniversary. I wish you could live closer to us
but I understand why you can't.
I love you!
Kellen
Isn't it a shame our American government can't see what an nine year old
boy can see?
dear mr. Mayor Cohen
thank you very much for letting my aunt martha into the country. if you
did not martha and lin would be torn apart. your city is great i have
been there 2 times. even though part of my family is half way across the
world you made it possible for part of our family (martha and lin) to
stay together.
thanks a bunch,
lisa weishaar 12 years old from california
Dear Friends,
It has almost been 5 years since my daughter Kirsten Anderson married
her dear friend and lover, Jacqueline Breton. Our family supports this
marriage and are so happy for them. Some of us were able to make the trip
to Netherlands to witness this union. It was unique and witnessed by their
many friends there and from the US. It is comforting to know that they
are both happy and enjoy their lives in the Netherlands. They are responsible
and productive first class citizens. And I thank the powers that be in
the Netherlands for their allowing same-sex Marriages.
It is sad to think they are not welcomed in the U.S. in the same manner.
In places they would not be safe. Their union is not protected in many
areas, health and welfare being one area. Not being treated as two adults
who are committed and responsible to each other. They are leagally married
and deserve the rights of all marrieds.
When will we learn to accept people like my daughter and her spouse as
the responsible human beings that they are and help them to live in peace;
to be treated as other marrieds are treated and not divide people into
catagories like 'Us and Them'.
Sincerely,
Waneta L Anderson
© 2006 Stichting Love Exiles. All rights reserved.
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