HALF A CONGRATULATIONS

I recently read your article about the Bangor Daily News’s decision to publish the announcement of a civil union between two men on its wedding page (“Bangor Daily News announces civil ceremony,” This Just In, January 12, 2001). I have to offer the Bangor Daily News half a congratulations.

I congratulate them for including the union of two men on the same page as that of heterosexual couples. I understand that their readers can read about the gay couple right alongside the announcements of the straight couples. However, those readers cannot see the two gay men like they can the brides and grooms, for the Daily News, as you reported, decided not to print the photograph accompanying the civil union announcement.

Their inclusion of this announcement takes a step forward in societal thinking toward the love between two members of the same sex; however, the exclusion of the photo almost negates that inclusion. It’s like they’re almost afraid to say what they’re trying to say by publishing it: that gay life partners should be treated the same as straight, married couples.

And yet I know the Daily News can’t really be offering an opinion at all, for it is a newspaper. I have worked for newspapers for the last three years and understand both the position and potential legal issues you face in including this couple on a page of marriage announcements when civil unions aren’t recognized by the law. Yet, the Daily News decided to include it anyway, if halfway.

In an interview with The Portland Phoenix, Austin Franklin Brown Jr., one of the men in the aforementioned couple, said he was told that the photograph of him and his partner would not run because of the Daily News’s concern over a “barrage of conservative assaults.” This, Brown says, he was told by Bangor Daily News Executive Editor Mark Woodward.

I can understand a newspaper fearing libel issues, legal issues, or even lost readership, but since when has a newspaper feared controversy?

I am a former reporter for the Portsmouth Herald in Portsmouth, N.H., where Chief Photographer Deb Cram published a photo essay in 1998 called “Birth of a Family,” wherein she documented, through more than four pages of words and images, two women having a baby. Yes, the paper raised controversy. Yes, the paper lost readers. Yes, people cancelled their subscriptions, not understanding why the paper would publish this story on the front page of the paper on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Our editors told us to be honest and answer people honestly when they asked how we felt about the piece. The editors also reminded us, on story after story, that it was our job to raise the questions.

Woodward later told The Portland Phoenix that the Bangor Daily News is comfortable with their decision and that “clearly, the precedent has been set.”

It feels a bit like The Phoenix is commending the Daily News, which is appropriate for a somewhat editorial-oriented article. But shouldn’t The Phoenix hold out until the Daily News actually takes a full step forward instead of just half a step?

The other half of my congratulations will come to Mr. Woodward when he finishes setting the precedent by showing us the faces of the gay couples whose love he announces on his wedding page.

Jennifer Vento
Portsmouth, N.H.

MENSTRUATION NATION

I am writing in response to the article “The end of menstruation” (January 19, 2001). I have been on the pill since the age of 14. I started taking it to regulate periods that were heavy and last forever. After talking to a friend of mine who has been on the pill continuously, I wanted to try it. I talked to my doctor, who was not familiar with the method.

While reading a magazine one day I found an article that had information on the “pausing” method. I brought the article to a gynecologist who agreed that I could give it a shot. I normally have periods that last at least seven days in duration so I was thrilled that I could try this method.

I am happy to say that I have not had a period or “break through bleeding” for the past four months. Of course it took a little getting used to, but I couldn’t be happier. I no longer find myself stranded somewhere without a tampon. I still feel feminine. I couldn’t feel better to tell the truth. Now that I don’t worry about what a pain it is, I am free to wear what I want, go swimming when I want, and enjoy “everything” else when I want. I don’t think this will give women the wrong idea about their periods. I say it’s your own body, don’t let anyone tell you what to do with it.

Jame Leo
Portland

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