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SSM and domestic partnerships in Maine

Testimonials from
the public hearing, etc.

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An account of the power of love overcoming prejudice:

Testimony before the Judiciary Committee public meeting on 2009-APR-23:

Good afternoon Senator Bliss, Representative Priest and members of the Judiciary Committee.

My name is Jarad Platt; I live in Farmington and I am here to urge you to support LD 1020. I am speaking for myself.

I am a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) employed by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse as a Treatment Specialist; I am Coordinator of Substance Abuse Treatment for the adult Maine State Prisons, the Maine Adult Drug Treatment Courts and the Maine Co-occurring Disorders Courts.

My partner is Daniel Gazette. Danny is an Administrative Assistant. We are registered as Domestic Partners in Maine and have been together for 34 years. we both work full time jobs, pay local, state and federal taxes, own a home and autos, support charities, and are integrated into the Farmington community.

We have supported each other through the critical illness of Danny's mother and the death of his father. My mother lived with us for 16 years and died at age 96 last month. When mother knew she was close to passing, she wrapped her arms around Danny's neck and whispered to him: "I want you to take care of Jarad for me."

I was caretaker for Danny as he went through cancer of the larynx surgery and radiation treatments and then a heart attack. Danny was caretaker for me when I had a ruptured colon and the attendant surgeries, and a nearly fatal kidney failure and congestive heart failure. We are both fully recovered.

Our lives have always been inclusive of intense family relationships. Mother was a lifelong Baptist. Her faith and religion was not in a box. I didn't come out as a gay man until I was 35. My father had already passed, my mother immediately accepted me.

Danny was kicked out of the Army for being gay. Danny's dad, George, didn't understand homosexuality when Danny came out to his family, so they had a tenuous relationship for a few years. At Danny's sister's wedding George gave his daughter $500; he gave Danny $10 and told him he'd get the rest when he got married. Danny told his dad he had just saved $490.

The second Christmas we were together at Danny's parents' house, his mother and father were so excited. George got out his camera, Danny's mom could hardly contain herself. Danny opened his gift, which was 2 pairs of socks. We were both confused by the excitement of his parents. Then Danny saw the corner of a piece of paper under one of the socks, and took out a check for $490.

That was love and acceptance.

My hope is that this committee and the entire Senate and House can see what George saw -- love and commitment worthy of marriage. Danny's mom called Monday to say she hoped that this bill would pass, that "you guys deserve this."

I love Danny with all my heart, a love that has grown over the years we have been together. Danny tells me the same. I want my relationship with Danny to be honored. He and I are honorable people and their is no reason our lives and love don't qualify for marriage.

Please support LD 1020.

Thank you. ₁

A video by Equality Maine:

Equality Main is the main GLBT-positive group promoting SSM in the state. They have prepared a video showing some of the families that support the principle marriage available to all Maine families.

Jo Moser of GayLifePhotography and filmmaker Phyllis Famiglietti prepared the video.

In a regular mailing, Equality Maine asked that we share the video with five of our friends. We consider you and all other visitors to our site to be our friends.

To give balance:

We have an essay containing a 60 second TV commercial titled "A Gathering Storm" It was launched by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) on 2009-APR-08. According to OneNewsNow, a fundamentalist Christian news source, the ad is part of a $1.5 million ad campaign being shown in 2009-Spring to "protect marriage and religious liberty throughout the nation." The ad attempts to generate concern and fear of SSM.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. "Maine Public Hearing: A Testimonial," Pam's House Blend, 2009-APR-23, at: http://www.pamshouseblend.com/

Copyright © 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2009-APR-24
Latest update: 2009-SEP-23
Author: B.A. Robinson

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