from Parenting & Family

In her statement, Ms. Stefanowicz described what her life was like growing up in a home with a gay father. According to Stefanowicz, "I was at high risk of exposure to contagious STDs due to sexual molestation, my father's high-risk sexual behaviors, and multiple partners. Even when my father was in what looked like monogamous relationships, he continued cruising for anonymous sex."

She said she cared deeply for her father and he shared his life regrets with her. Her father was molested by older males as a child. "Due to this," said Stefanowicz, "he lived with depression, control issues, anger outbursts, suicidal tendencies and sexual compulsions.... Sadly, my father died of AIDS in 1991."

Ms. Stefanowicz noted that growing up in a gay household exposed her to "bathhouse sex, cross-dressing, sodomy, pornography, gay nudity, lesbianism, bisexuality, minor recruitment, voyeurism, and exhibitionism. In addition, "Sadomasochism was alluded to and aspects demonstrated. Alcohol and drugs were often contributing factors to lower inhibitions in my father's relationships."

After two decades of exposure to these behaviors, she became insecure, depressed, suicidal and confused over her own sexuality.

According to Stefanowicz, children should not be subjected to such an environment. "In my opinion, same-sex marriage will put the human rights of the individual in a higher place than what is best for society, families and especially children."