This letter is in response to the letter entitled “Homosexuality is destructive."

I’d just like to ask Pastor Randy Leskovar and others who think like him: what are you afraid of?

Do you truly believe “the future of our state and the lives of many are at stake”? I just don’t understand where your fear comes from. How does my love for a woman, or being given the right to file taxes jointly or be on the same insurance policy as my partner or having unquestionable visitation in the event of a medical emergency affect you in any way?

How does it put our state and the lives of many at stake? I am a homeowner, a taxpayer, a mother, a volunteer for community projects, a member of the local gym, a subscriber to the local organic vegetable delivery service, so again I ask, how does that adversely affect the state and lives of others?

My children were raised in a loving home that taught them respect for others, manners, tolerance, responsibility and independence. Both are grown now and heterosexual, so the argument that gays beget gays has no merit. If that were the case my heterosexual parents (who have been married for 56 years) would not have a gay daughter.

The God that I know and worship is genderless and represents love and compassion for ALL. Does “He” really distinguish between male and female on a spiritual level? I think not.

So again, I ask, what are you afraid of? How could the love and adoration that I have for my partner cause the ruin of the institution of marriage? Isn’t marriage about love and commitment and spending a life together?

You talk about procreation. Children are not a requirement of marriage and there are many married couples who choose not to or may not be able to have children. Are they denied the rights of marriage because of this? No. I just don’t understand what about me and my lifestyle that make you so afraid?

It’s not your place to judge, especially when my life and who I choose to spend it with causes absolutely no ill will or harm to anyone.

Amy Phillips
West Seattle