I am in a stable, 12-year relationship with my female partner. We own our modest home, have decent jobs and are adopting a child. We have a dog and two cats. We have families who love and care for us. We work hard for what we have and appreciate what we do have. We’re pretty normal.

My own father died more than 11 years ago, never able to see how my life evolved. I came out to my parents, but my father seemed to have the hardest time with it. He worried what people would think. He worried I would be hurt, physically, by the violent act of a hateful person. He didn’t live to see Maine take a firm stand of support and intolerance for violence, discrimination and inequality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He died with fear in his heart for his youngest daughter whom he loved and respected for a host of other reasons.

I am proud of my life and who I am. I wish my father could have lived to see it. Thanks to the legislation that has been passed, I have been able to make a good life for myself, while honoring his memory and lessons, without fear of violence and discrimination.

The Christian Civic League should focus on the bigger issues facing Mainers: the attacks on those with mental illness, those in poverty and our elderly struggling to stay in their homes. That would be most Christian of them.

Tracy Goodridge

Clifton