DISQUS

brb915 · 7 months ago

....powerful story Joe, a lesson sadly demonstrated......

Jophus · 7 months ago

that is amazing. I wish stories like this were on TV. Ellen, Oprah, etc. I feel like the more straight people (who are uncomfortable) get intimate accounts where they can relate, that it would only make all of this legislation sail through in all states even faster. Then it wouldn't be just words and technicalities to them anymore.

This is both a sad and awesome account of events. Thank you for sharing. I'm going to link a lot of people to this, is that cool? Best of luck in the future, Steven and please consider calling or emailing some producers.

threadmonitor · 7 months ago

(Sorry to intrude on this wonderful post and thread)

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Butch1 · 7 months ago

My condolences to Steven on Peter's death. I can't imagine anything worse than the death of one's love especially at such a young age.

cowboyneok · 7 months ago

If there isn't a more poignant, better laid out argument for marriage than what Steven has just provided to us, I haven't read it. I also want to let readers know we can add our sympathies to the family at the link listed in the post. I feel like since he was a regular reader, he was "part of our family" here at Americablog. Rest in peace, Peter.

1970cs · 7 months ago

Lewis Black - Gay Banditos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-id4GKsaQk&feat...

ndtovent · 7 months ago

My heartfelt condolences go out to Steven. Best of luck in the future. Joe, thanks for posting his story. I'm glad he lives in a progressive state where our marriages are recognized just like everyone elses.

Jack LeVine · 7 months ago

Steven,
I truly feel your pain, as I lost my JJ just the day before yesterday. We were together for 33 years. The hope that we'd be able one day to marry in or own state was one of the driving forces that kept him alive for the last 5 years.

Here in Nevada we are voting in the assembly TODAY for MEAR (and meager) domestic partnership. Our governor says he'll veto it.

Due to the timing of JJ's passing, I went political on my real estate blog and published the obituary as an essay directed at the governor. I was honored by my friends that the essay was handed to most of our legislators yesterday while they were there to lobby for the bill.

In contrast to you, I was not accepted as "the next of kin" by the coronor. There's no place except for "single", "married" or "divorced" to have checkmarked JJ's relationship status.

Fortunately we had our "papers in order". They only recognized me as the executor of the estate. 33 years together had no meaning to them what-so-ever.

I wrote to John Aravosis yesterday to tell him that JJ said that one of the things he'll miss the most is reading Americablog. I hope you'll see that there's a marked difference between our stories, caused by the terrible "one man-one woman" constitutional amendment that was passed in Nevada.

Unfortunately, my story is much more prevelent than yours. Oh how I wish it was the other way around.

JJ's memorial essay is on www.VeryVintageVegas.com

My deepest of condolences, Steven.

Gridlock · 7 months ago

*gives you a hug*

The day is coming, it WILL happen.

It will.

An_American_Karol · 7 months ago

Big hugs, Jack.

JamesR · 7 months ago

Thank you so much for letting us know of JJ, and I am so sorry for your loss. And for the human condition that so often we get to know our brothers and sisters only after death or trauma in a sharing of pain. Yet lives well lived have impact, THANKS for sharing his, and yours. What a great tribute, love is our real sustenance.

Indigo · 7 months ago

Sincere condolences.

brian · 7 months ago

I am proud to live in Massachusetts ! The righties here are still trying to get it overturned, but it does not look like it is going to happen. I will fight them until my last breath!

My condolences!

littlesister1 · 7 months ago

Steven is my older brother. When I found out that my brother-in-law Peter had died I couldn't even imagine the pain my older brother was going to endure. When I told people my brother-in-law had died and they would ask how my sister was doing - I stated no it's my brother's husband. There were no looks of disgust or uncomfortable pauses- just a sincere reply of I'm so sorry for your loss and they would then ask how my brother was doing. My husband and I have two young children and this is their first real exposure to death. My six year old sobbed when I told him Uncle Peter had died. Yes - they were Uncle Steve and Uncle Peter -there was no hiding or making up stories that this was a roommate or friend- this was his husband. Uncle Peter was the one who took him snowboarding this winter for the first time and he now wanted to know who he would would go snowboarding with. What is important to me is that both of my son's know that two men (or women) who love each other very much can marry and there is nothing wrong, strange, illegal or immoral about it. I'm just glad that my brother in his time of grief and loss, doesn't have to go through additional pain - because his marriage isn't seen as real or legitimate. Who are any of us to judge someone else's happiness???

littlesister1,

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An_American_Karol · 7 months ago

I am so very, very sorry for yours and Steven's loss.

Jophus · 7 months ago

Thank you for raising supportive and compassionate children, and for practicing those qualities yourself. The future generations are our true hope on this issue.

I wish there was a less cliche way to express my condolences, but I'm sorry you had to suffer a loss like this.

JamesR · 7 months ago

I am so sorry for your loss, yet also thank you for taking time to write some beauty from such sadness. You are so fortunate for having had such a family member and we are fortunate for having heard about him. America is made of families, thank you for sharing what makes us great.

duchessofbilgewater · 7 months ago

Steven, very sorry for your loss.

threadmonitor · 7 months ago

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Larry E Hall · 5 months ago

I just read about Steven Kleinedler's loss in the latest issue of THE GAY AND LESBIAN REVIEW. Five years ago in March 2004 I took my "partner" Mark to the local hospital here in Pittsburgh for a routine procedure. He never came home. For some reason we took along the necessary papers we had our lawyer draw up for Power of Attorney, visitation, etc. A few days later when Mark was placed in the ICU, I was asked when I walked in who I was, and when I said I was his partner - not an ey brow was raised. For the next 14 days until his mother, sister and I decided to stop all treatment (I signed the papers), I had all the rights of anyone else in the hospital. At the school where I work, I received condolences from everyone, including the lunch ladies and maintenance people. Likewise from his colleagues to whom he was not OUT.
So even if PA doesn't have same-sex marriage (and probably not in my lifetime) we LGBT people do have some rights, but not until the federal government settles it no one will receive SS benefits and interstate companies won't be required to turn over 401K plans (I had to cash his in over a 5 years period with a 20% tax rate) or frequent flier miles, etc.
I feel so lucky to have been treated so well, even though it was not required by law yet here in PA.

Larry Hall

karenkolarblech · 3 days ago

We will win this fight for equality.