To the Editor,

I am writing to comment on your article ‘Kerryn’s anguish over family split.’ I was surprised but impressed with Kerryn’s story, as it helped me to understand many different things.

This article really grabbed my attention! I normally steer clear from articles of this sort, but as I read on, I realised how much it related to me. I myself am an eighteen year old female, the same age as Kerryn’s daughter, so naturally I felt that I understood the trials and anguish she must have been through.

I could completely identify with the fighting with your parents. Sometimes they just don’t understand. I have been at that same point, right on the edge of leaving for good. This article made me realise how easy it is to just give up. It held fast for me the fact that I had done the right thing in working through my problems and staying with my family. In this way, it was both interesting and useful to learn about this kind of family breakup.

This article was so full of issues that teenagers of today will more than likely have to face later on in life if they haven’t already had to. These include IVF, gay marriages, family breakups with divorces and so on.

Upon reading this article I recognised the possibility that either having a gay parent or being gay yourself wouldn’t actually be that bad. Kerryn’s son, Carl showed this. In my eyes, he is a strong and admirable guy, who seems to stand for what he believes, and stay loyal to his family.

I was sad to learn that there was no reconciliation between Kerryn and her daughter, but then I reminded myself that we are not, in fact, living in a fairytale world and many things don’t pan out the way we want.

I would again like to thank you for the article, it has shown me both the error of my ways and has laid a faint path for me to follow in my passage to adulthood.

Bellatrix Lestrange

To the Editor,

This letter is in response to the article you published on Kerryn Phelps and her family anguish.

Kerryn, I would just like to congratulate you! You have stood behind your beliefs even under the scrutiny of the public eye – being judged and criticised beyond belief. However I feel you should know that there are groups of people who support you in the decisions you have made regarding your lifestyle, and hope you’re content with the changes that have occurred.

As a gay woman myself, Kerryns’ story is an inspiration to me and my partner. It has influenced the way we live our lives – you have made us feel more comfortable with our sexuality in a world that is often unaccepting. We used to feel the need to hide our relationship, so as not to make others feel uncomfortable. Now we feel that if being who we truly are makes people uneasy it is their issue, not ours.

The society we live in often looks at things in a black and white sense – there is not enough tolerance for differences people may create. Frankly, if you love someone then you should be legally allowed to declare them as your partner – regardless of their gender. The way our legal system operates only certain states recognise the union of a gay couple, elsewhere it is disregarded. It seems to me that in a world made up of many colours, races, religions, cultures, beliefs and opinions a great effort is made to create a way of living in harmony, but it doesn’t always work as the differences are too great (the terrorist attacks in recent years being a prime example). If we can accept to not accept every other person’s ideologies, then why should this not apply to the issue of homosexuality?    

Kerryn Phelps’ story touched me and my partner, and we consider ourselves lucky that those people close to us have been very open-minded towards our lifestyle, and we did not have to undergo the pain and anguish that she evidently did in her situation. I only hope that our society will continue to grow and become more accepting of the differences in lifestyle people choose to lead. Here’s to Kerryn Phelps: a woman who fought for her right to be herself.

Sincerely,

Anita Femme

Mr/Mrs Editor,

I wish for you to pass this on to Kerryn Phelps, whom you recently featured in an article in your newspaper:

Look, let me just say, YOU GO GIRL! I’m sick of all this garbage about same sex marriages being illegal and unholy. It’s about time someone distinguished showed how important union to the one you love is, regardless of their gender.

I myself am a gay female, and I am very much in love with my partner Phillace. We have been united, but we can’t be officially married because of the ridiculous rules handed down forbidding it. When I pass away, I want Phillace to be able to keep our house and all our contents, but even if I put it in my will it may not result in the way I wish because it can be legally contested! It’s nonsensical. Furthermore, my father and I have been distanced for quite some time. This is because he does not agree with my choice of lifestyle. He promised to disown me if I went down the path I have been born into, but I stuck true to who I am and now we never see each other. I want to congratulate you on being strong despite family difficulties. I know it’s hard to let a loved one out of your life but if you don’t, and you pretend to be something you’re not, you’ll forever regret it. Just be strong, and your family will realise the mistake of their ways. Ultimately, they will accept you for who you are.

I wish you and your partner the best of luck for the future. And to your son, thankyou for being so supportive and loving towards the person who brought you into this world. I pray that more people in similar positions will follow your lead.

If this could be passed on to Mrs. Phelps, it would be much obliged, as I feel compelled to let her know what she means to me, my partner and I’m sure many others.

Regards,

Gae F. E. Male.