Romney would take us to pre-civil rights days

I'd like to thank the late Max Hampton, because if it weren't for Max, I wouldn't be here.

Max introduced my mother to my father in 1945 and my parents were married for more than five decades. I got to meet Max in 1962 on a family vacation to New York City. Max and his partner, Jim, lived in Manhattan and both worked as executives in Fortune 500 companies. My parents were lifelong friends with Max and Jim, whose homosexuality was never an issue. When Max was diagnosed with throat and neck cancer, it was inconceivable that Jim couldn't be at his side in intensive care.

That was then and this is now. Thankfully, President Obama understands that committed couples should be treated equally and allowed to marry. Max and Jim were lifelong Republicans, but would be hard pressed to support the Republican candidate for president today.

A Mitt Romney presidency would take us back to the pre-civil rights days that suppressed Max and Jim for decades.

Libby Gotschall Slappey

Cedar Rapids