My parents always taught me to do the right thing, take care of my own business and never insert myself in other people’s affairs. They backed up their lessons with sayings like, “work hard”, “mind your own business” and “keep your nose out of other people’s business”. They are good people and exceptional parents and so I listened. Too often in my life, I stood on the sideline choosing their good advice and did not express myself or my opinions.   Well I can sit on the sideline no longer!

 I was shocked that the Manchester Union Leader refused to print a Portsmouth N.H.  Tent-wedding announcement for two gay men last week…   This draconian decision was a poor political and business move from the New Hampshire’s supposed leading newspaper.   The Union Leader ignored our state’s motto “Live free or Die”. 

They stated that they were a privately owned paper and had the right to refuse to print the announcement.  Can we deduce that if they owned a coffee shop they could make the same decision on where those men could sit or not even serve them at all?  What if they owned a bus line?   Is this 1963? 

I believe we should allow individuals the right to make their own adult decisions.   I support individual rights – be it same sex weddings, civil unions or traditional marriages.  Discrimination has no place in our society!   

Shame on the Union Leader!