It has taken me a while to write this and check it and check it again to make sure it sounds the way I want it to.. so.. here goes:

My sister is gay, she has been with her partner for about 9 years. My other sisters, their husbands and myself and my hubby have all accepted their union. We refer to Julie as "my sister's partner" My parents on the other hand, when introducing her to people call her "Barb's Friend"
It upsets them and they don't understand why my parents can't just say "PARTNER"

My sister and her partner had a small ceremony 7 years ago, (It was nothing legal, just a ceremony in a house) with white dresses and all, flowers, my father walked my sister down the isle. My sister even asked me to stand up for her in the ceremony, and I did!
The person doing the ceremony, was a lesbian ordained minister. Don't know how ... but she was and still is. She dresses like a priest, all black with a white collar. Wears robes, and the cloth she wears around her neck over the robe is rainbow striped. I don't know what church they belong to, I don't know anything, because I'm afraid I would just not understand. I was raised catholic, and no longer go to church because I feel the world is going to Hell in a hand basket, and everyone hates each other for one reason or another. Priests can't even be trusted anymore... anyway.. that's another subject.

ANYWAY.... I am torn between my sisters feelings and the rights my parents have to their own feelings. My parents are in their 60's and don't see being gay as being "normal". My parents love my sister and Julie very very much, but they just don't understand the fact that they are uncomfortable with the fact that their daughter is gay. Yes we all are happy for her because she is happy, and they are a wonderful couple, and we all spend a lot of time with them. But I wish that they would realize that just because some people are uncomfortable with accepting gays, does not mean that they hate them, or are against them.

My feelings:
I feel there is nothing wrong with being gay, I have nothing against people that are gay, I get the same sick feeling in my stomach when I see a man and a woman kissing in public that I do when I see two men or two women kissing in public.
I feel the word marriage should be kept for the union of a man and a woman. I feel the words "Legal Union" could be used for same sex couples, not the word "marriage". If my sister and her partner were to tell me they wanted to have kids, I would not be comfortable with it.
So as you all can see.... I have very mixed emotions... I love my sister and accept her as being gay, and I love her partner as if she were my 4th sister!!! But yet still have some reservations on a few subjects when it comes down to it.