One may justifiably wonder what was the true objective of Ms. Hassan's article "Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families" (NH Bar News July 5, 2002), but to me it seems clear that she is using our publication as a vehicle for advocating the legitimacy of same-sex relationships.

Consider the following claim made by Ms. Hassan: "Gay and lesbian couples are a family in every sense of the word, except that they are not protected as such under either New Hampshire or federal law." (Emphasis added.) This statement is nothing more than an echo of the claims of those who would attempt to give status and legitimacy to what is conceded to be a non-traditional relationship. If, as Ms. Hassan claims, a family is defined and established by tradition, what is the source of the tradition that would elevate same-sex relationships to the level of a "family?" The answer is clear - there is none.

It is an insult to members of the "traditional families" to attempt to extend that term to participants in same-sex relationships. Surely there is some other term to describe such relationships, but of course that might jeopardize their political agenda.

James M. Winston
Manchester

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