Killing them with kindness

Mike Huckabee recently said in an interview about gay couples adopting kids:

"Children are not puppies...This is not a time to see if we can experiment and find out, how does this work...You don't go ahead and accommodate every behavioral pattern that is against the ideal...That would be like saying, well, there are a lot of people who like to use drugs, so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want to use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, so we should accommodate them."

Coming from an ancestry that proudly practiced polygamy I take offense to that comment. But that's besides the point. Listen, Mr. Huckabee is entitled to his beliefs and we live in a wonderful country that allows us to say pretty much anything we want. Obviously there are plenty of people out there both homo and heterosexual that disagree with his comments. It wouldn't be a big surprise if some lashed out in response to such a comment.

However, gay couple Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh from Chicago had a different idea when they heard these comments. They sent him an invitation that said:

"Sir, your comments likening my parenting my son to adopting a pet are beyond hurtful and dangerous. My love, passion and commitment to Nate [their son] is not one iota different than what you have for John Mark, David and Sarah. Our son is loved and cared for just as much. He feels just as loved and cared for. He is a happy, well adjusted little guy whom I fiercely love."

"Mr. Huckabee, I invite you to spend the evening with us at our home in Chicago next time you come through. You need to understand and see firsthand what a family like ours is like. We are no less a family than yours, and in fact, we are healthier and more stable than most."

I kind of hope Huckabee takes the two up on the offer. After all they are professional caterers and the meal would probably be pretty tasty. This is a good example of how to react to something one does not agree with. The couple said they are glad they tried something different rather than "just calling Huckabee names or posting a b****y Facebook status update."

So good job Mr. Smith and Mr. McDonagh for not taking the bait and taking the high road instead. Besides, whether one is gay or straight has little to do with whether you'll make a good parent or not. As a social worker I have seen plenty of pretty lousy parents, in fact the worst parents I have crossed paths with, parents guilty of doing horrific acts I don't care to repeat were completely and entirely heterosexual.