An 'attitude that should start with me'

It saddens me that some of my neighbors in Warwick are “disgusted” that New York now has marriage equality. I certainly do not expect everyone to embrace this law, or, for that matter, to embrace me or other gay people. I do, however, expect common courtesy and respect from my fellows. I expect the same rights that my more conservative neighbors enjoy. Heck, I expect the same rights that convicted felons enjoy. One of those rights is the right to marry the person I love. We live in a democracy, not a theocracy. There really is a separation of church and state. I will not seek to marry in your church, or invite you to my wedding. But I do respectfully request to be left alone to live my life (what some people call an “agenda”) the way I see fit. What would that be? Well, my life looks pretty much the same as most around here. I’m in a long-term, committed, monogamous relationship. I have three school-aged children. I go to church on Sunday (yes, there is actually a church that loves me for who I am, as well as my partner and kids ... AND my ex-husband). I drive my kids to lacrosse, karate, dance class, play-dates. I work, I pay taxes and I vote (it seems that that is OK for gay people to do). I give to charity, am kind to others, love animals and I even love those who are not like me, who would deny me rights and who are disgusted by my “lifestyle.” After all, if I want others to adopt an attitude of acceptance, then that attitude should start with me. Lisa Cullen Warwick