Northwest Indiana Discussion

By Colleen Curry
Dec 20, 2011 4:39pmGay Couple Receives Obama Congratulations on Wedding
Matt Katz and Aaron Lafrenz of Brooklyn, N.Y., were surprised to receive a letter from President Barack Obama congratulating them on their marriage. (Courtesy Matt Katz)
A gay couple in Brooklyn, N.Y., were surprised to find a letter in their mailbox six months after their wedding congratulating them, but they were more surprised to find it was from the commander in chief.

Matt Katz, 32, and Aaron Lafrenz, 36, were married at the Katz family’s Brooklyn home on July 23, 2011, the day before gay marriage became legal in New York state. The following day, the two went to Brooklyn borough hall and were among the first gay couples to legally be married in the state.

This December, Katz and Lafrenz received a letter in their mailbox with the White House seal indented in the paper and the signature of one Barack Obama on the bottom. Obama has been opposed to gay marriage in the past, though he has recently said his views on the topic are “evolving.”

Katz told ABC News today that a family friend, Arlene Weinstock, had requested the letter on their behalf after hearing that the White House would take requests upon the passage of the New York gay marriage bill. Weinstock, of Long Beach, Calif., assumed that the request had not been fulfilled when the couple hadn’t heard from the White House during the summer, but realized today that she was the cause of the mysterious presidential salutation.

“I was so super confused,” Katz said, noting that he was not a major political activist and had no strong ties to gay rights groups. “But Aunt Arlene called me up and said, ‘This is my fault!’”

The White House confirmed to ABC News that they sent the letter.

The letter reads, in part, “Your union marks the beginning of a lifelong partnership as you share in the joys of your life together. I wish you the very best as you embark on your journey together and hope your bond grows stronger with each passing year.”

Katz said he was happy to receive the letter, but acknowledged the president is probably looking to shore up the gay vote ahead of the 2012 election.

“I do think he’s trying to (pander), but I don’t blame him,” Katz said. “At this point, this is not necessarily a ploy but he can’t for public office reasons be on one side, so maybe this is his way of winking at the gay public in New York and saying I really need your vote now.”

Katz said his father is a longtime supporter of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and when he first received the Obama letter, he asked his father whether that had anything to do with it. His father said no.

The White House, when asked about the letter today, responded that it “regularly sends congratulatory messages from the president to members of the public.”

Richard Socarides, a former adviser to Bill Clinton and current president of Equality Matters, a gay rights group, agreed that it a fairly normal move and did not signal a change in the president’s position on gay marriage rights.

“Those letters usually come out of the staff secretary’s office. They’re very careful, but I’m sure that — I don’t think this is reflective of a policy decision. I think it’s sort of curious, but likely serendipitous,” Socarides said.

Despite telling ABC News in October that the issue of gay marriage was something he “struggled with,” Obama has never come out in support of gay marriage. He has said he supports “strong civil unions.” Obama also led the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which banned gays from serving openly in the military.

Katz said that despite the letter’s mysterious arrival, the couple was happy to receive it and will likely frame and display the letter in their home.

“For a minute there I really really thought it was a gag gift, but it has the seal, and it’s him and Michelle. We’ll definitely frame it,” he said.

SHOWS: Good Morning America

Anything that encourages monogamy is a good thing.

God created Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve.

Did DUMBO send them a fruit basket?

For all you bigots, enjoy:
2 women share 1st kiss at US Navy ship's return

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45753034/ns ... ps-return/


Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, kisses her girlfriend of two years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell, at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach on Wednesday, Dec. 22. It's a tradition at Navy homecomings that one sailor is chosen by raffle to be first off the ship to kiss a loved one. Wednesday, for the first time, the reunited couple was same-sex

Go Navy!

I hope all the couples here (and all of you on the board) are with your partner for the rest of your lives. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

Yes, He will judge. Sodom and Gomorrah is a good example of the Supreme Judge's ruling.

Teehee!

I'm fairly certain we all know your stance on this topic as you've mentioned things along these lines before. And I think we all know my position on the Catholic Church.

That being said, I admired Pope John Paul II. While he did not embrace people living the homosexual lifestyle, he did say that they should be treated with dignity and respect. That seems to be something you lack at your core. While the Bible arguably mentions homosexuality six or seven times, there are dozens of passages addressing how Jesus Christ felt we should treat our fellow man. Do you know all of these passages by heart? Can you quote them with the same passion that seems to be incited at your very core at the mention of homosexuality?

Also, do you treat people who are divorced, non-Christians, have had premarital sex, and engage in extra marital affairs with the same vigor? There are some really great threads on this forum addressing those topics. Shouldn't the members of this forum be reminded that divorced people like Donald Trump & Newt Gingrich are going to split the fiery gates of hell wide open? Shouldn't they be reminded that non-Christians like Maurice Eisenstein and myself are going to split the fiery gates of hell wide open? Shouldn't we be reminded that people like Bristol Palin who engage in premarital sex are going to split the fiery gates wide open? And lastly shouldn't we be reminded that adulterers like Herman Cain are just splitting those burning gates open?

What I'm trying to say Tiger is that you have a lot to say on the matter of homosexuality but you are most notably silent on the sins of others (with the exception of abortion) and you are absolutely silent on how people are supposed to treat their fellow man.

I'm not a particularly nice person on this forum. Most dislike me, which is my own fault, and the ones that do like me only like me because they want to encourage my nastiness towards others. I'm telling you this from one human being to another because I feel like it's something you really need to hear. You need to stop using your religion to belittle and single people out. You're doing your religion, mankind, and your own spirit a great disservice. I'm singling you out because while I believe suzyq is a lost cause, I don't feel the same way about you. I admire you for putting the positive aspects of your religion into action when you're speaking up for those that cannot speak for themselves (the unborn), and trying to better Hammond for the young people that live there, but what you are doing in threads like this is so hateful. I really do doubt you treat the Jews, the divorced, the Islamic, and other sinners in your life with such disdain. I'm not trying to change your beliefs on homosexuality, but I would hope that in the future you'll have some tact and treat homosexuals with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Everyone has a free will. If they choose to use it unwisely, they will suffer the consequences.

What a lame excuse to do what is wrong in the eyes of God.

I treat no one with disdain, but I will point out what is wrong. If people choose a lifestyle that is contrary to God and Nature, that is their choice. I hate the sin, and not the sinner.