Here's a moving piece from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, titled What Threat to Marriage? by Bill Hetland, about caring for his life partner, Phil Anderson, who is paralyzed. Hetland writes:
It isn't so much about having the same rights as straight couples -- although that would be nice. Rather, I'm angry with those who demonize gays and think that loving gay couples like us somehow threaten that sanctity. We have been together for almost 16 years and have survived incredible challenges during the past three and one-half years.
Phil was paralyzed from the waist down in a February 2001 auto accident and has since been hospitalized for femur reconstruction, lung surgery, a stroke, gallbladder surgery, multiple seizures, chronic pain and numerous other health problems. Last September, during a celebration of our 15 years together, I presented Phil with a framed "Certificate of Survival" in recognition of his incredible courage. ...
Like Phil, I'm a veteran, having served in Vietnam. We have both served our country honorably and have been honorable in our commitment to each other. Yet there are still folks who see gay couples like us as a threat to the sanctity of marriage.
How small and mean-spirited our opponents seem in the face of
testimony like this.