Let’s get on with our lives

I greatly appreciated Tina Sablan’s letters to the editor (June 29th and April 7th) on gay rights. It was most unfortunate that in her words she “did not get a chance to speak, although I tried” at the hearing on Initiative 14-3, which aims to limit marriage to people of opposite sexes.

Sean Frink testified at the hearing that many young people are against House Speaker Fitial’s Initiative 14-3 and, according to her June 29th letter, Ms. Sablan is one of them. It is unfortunate she didn’t get a chance to speak.

Like Ms. Sablan, I was confused by Rep. Oscar Babauta’s question at the hearing on what the law would do should Tom and Harry adopt an infant who would die without breast milk. Then he asked what if Mary and Jane adopted and had the same situation. I don’t know why Mr. Babauta asked such questions, but whether a same sex-couple or heterosexual couple adopts, both would be in the same situation and require milk from an outside source. Examples of similarities between same-sex and heterosexual couples could go on and on. Both wanting life with the one they love. No difference.

Like Ms. Sablan, I was also confused by a woman’s claim that people choose to be gay. This was the first time I have heard such. My many gay friends have all said they knew early on they felt attracted to one of their same sex. This, in spite of all their parents’, peers’ and society’s expectations that they date and marry one of opposite sex. Initiative 14-3 is just one example! Why would anyone “choose” to be gay—often subject to ridicule and even persecution? Death under some governments.

I have heard so many stories of widespread infidelity in marriage, incest, children born outside wedlock and teen pregnancies in Saipan. These have been heterosexual, not homosexual related. My gay friends have been faithful to their partners, perhaps because they had to work so hard to be with the one they love. Again, just look at Initiative 14-3!

Let’s attack problems like flagrant unfaithfulness in marriage, domestic violence, incest, children born outside wedlock, teen pregnancy, insufficient school textbooks, unemployment, lack of public transportation, and let people marry the one of their choice. Let them get on with their lives. And, everyone else should get on with theirs.

Millie Carroll
Capitol Hill