This article features my aunt in re Kentucky marriage equality
and shows why marriage equality can't wait for a 'democratic' solution. http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/25/3500723_merlene-davis-upcoming-conference.html?rh=1
Pat Ritz speaks softly, urging the woman she has loved for nearly 40 years to eat more of the sandwich she has prepared for her lunch.
Ritz, 74, is the primary caretaker for her partner Joan Wyzenbeek, 84, who is now thin, frail and suffering with Alzheimer's disease.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/25/3500723_merlene-davis-upcoming-conference.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
Ritz has an example. When Wyzenbeek was restless at night after hip replacement surgery, a sitter was called in at the hospital to watch over her while Ritz went home to sleep.
"She shows up holding a Bible," Ritz said. "She asked if we were related and I said, 'sort of.' I was afraid she would be against us, that she might be from a conservative church that says we are an abomination. I don't want anyone to mistreat Joan."
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/25/3500723_merlene-davis-upcoming-conference.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
They would love to get married, Ritz said, but they've only lived in Florida, Ohio and Kentucky, states that do not recognize marriage equality.
"When Joan's ex-husband died, she got a raise in Social Security because they had been married 10 years," Ritz said. "That helps a lot. When she passes, I will be in greatly reduced circumstances."
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/10/25/3500723_merlene-davis-upcoming-conference.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
My aunt is Pat. Sadly there is no way marriage equality will come soon enough for her and for the rest of her life she will be getting less money than she deserves because of it.
= new reply since forum marked as read
