On April 21, 2004, the Portland Press Herald published a letter from my mother, Florence Moore of Cumberland, who was then in her late 70s. She passed away a couple of years later. Her comments were so right, before her time, and so relevant to today’s congressional efforts that I’d like to revisit her timely observation.

She wrote: “Your March 17 edition carried letters from readers on the subject of same-sex marriage. While I cherish the memories of a happy, long-term and productive heterosexual marriage (three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren), I also do not believe in excluding some members of our society from access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The country surely has a heart big enough and strong enough to recognize the joy of two people in love, regardless of their gender.”

Robert A. Moore
Cumberland Foreside