Wichita Eagle, Kansas, submitted 10/5/01

To the Editor,

As we prepare to speak at Kansas State University next week, we turn away from the horrific news of the Sept. 11 tragedy in these United States and turn towards the current events in Kansas.

We are delighted of the timing of our event at KSU on top of the heated debate over domestic partnership benefits for gay and lesbian couples. Of course, much of the diatribe our enemies spout are old, religiously based, tired notions of gay agendas, destroying the family,etc.

So here's where we come in.

We ARE An American Family, two gay men (one called Daddy the other called Father), three Children and one Grandchild. For those of you who continue to believe that you have a right, American, God given - whatever, to continue to treat your fellow Americans (our family, the more than 1,600 same-sex identified partnerships in Sedgwick County and the MILLIONS of others like us) as less than, as second class or any kind of threat to your inherent, rights, we sincerely invite you to hear our story.

We have found, through all our travels throughout these United States, that the hatred and bigotry so easily tossed our way comes mainly from ignorance. Not mean spirited ignorance but ignorance solely from believing what one has been told and not what one has witnessed. It is an ignorance from a lack of true knowledge. This ignorance is deadly. It is deadly not only to our family and to glbt people around the world but to humanity as a whole.

Three weeks ago, from the park in our backyard, we witnessed the smoke of ignorance rise as the magnificent twin towers of New York City fell. So deadly were these attacks by extremist islamic terrorists that they rocked our nation.

So are the attacks on our community from the extremist christian terrorists of our nation, Rev. Falwell, Pat Robertson, Fred Phelps, for example, rocking our nation. We are all witness of how the Holy Bible in this country, much like the Koran in the middle east, has been twisted to oppress, victimize, cleanse, and erase those that differ from ones own beliefs for the past 225 years.

Some of these extreme notions seem quite ripe in Kansas as the debate over equal rights for homosexuals swells. So, will you fly blindly (like the Sedwick County Commissioner did) to those who castigate us? Or will you open your eyes, minds and hearts to learn for yourself the truth? Take time now to remind yourself that this is America, the home of the free. On Tuesday evening, Oct. 9th, take more time and join us at KSU at 8:00pm to learn of our family's agenda to live that free life and urge your county commissioners to attend as well. If you can't make it then go to your local public library and read our book titled An American Family

We want for ourselves, our children and our fellow Americans a free life where equality, as guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States of America, is truly for all Americans and where the radical beliefs of a few are far surpassed by what we believe to be the most important christian commandment of all "Love thy Neighbor"

God Bless America
God Bless Kansas,

Jon and Michael Galluccio
The Galluccio Family
Paterson, NJ
www.galluccio.com
family@galluccio.com

Kansas State University will be sponsoring us for a lecture titled "Refusing to Settle: Adoption Rights for Gay Couples"
by Jon and Michael Galluccio
It is to be held on Tuesday, Oct.9th, 2001 at 8:00pm in the main ballroon of the K_State Union, Manhattan, KS
For more information you may contact Gina M. Kimble at KSU 785-532-6571