Here’s the question we asked our readers:
“If you have a close friend or family member living in a homosexual relationship, do you feel obligated to include the “partner” in holiday gatherings and events?”
Here’s how our readers responded:
56 Percent No, I don’t feel obligated at all
33 Percent Yes, I will invite the “partner”
11 Percent Feel guilty, but won’t invite
Emotions ran strong with this question, with at least one person describing those who wouldn’t invite the “partner” as being “closed-mind, unkind, and unchristlike.” Others wrote to us and pointed out that when their children are involved, they will not appear to be condoning same-sex behavior by including the partner and making it appear as though such behavior were acceptable and normal.
One man who wrote to us gave us the example that he would not invite anyone who openly and even “proudly” manifest any destructive behavior – alcohol or drug abuse for example – to engage with his family. He continued, “bringing the ‘partner’ is a statement that the gay family member believes that what he is doing is totally acceptable and right. It isn’t and I won’t let it appear to my children that it is.”
Most seemed to agree that the gay family member was more than welcome, but they were not obligated to invite the partner.