"God Bless 'Em"

A Tip O' the Wizard's Pointy Cap goes this morning to Jeanne Phillips, aka Abigail Van Buren, who publicly came out in favor of Gay Marriage and unions this week in a statement of remarkable kindness, understanding and understated courage.

Lisa Leff, reporting for the Associated Press writes:

"For years, rumblings have surfaced on the Internet, conjecture about her casual references to "sexual orientation" and "respect."

"Now, Dear Abby is ready to say it flatly: She supports same-sex marriage."

"I believe if two people want to commit to each other, God bless 'em," the syndicated advice columnist told The Associated Press. "That is the highest form of commitment, for heaven's sake."

"What Jeanne Phillips, aka Abigail Van Buren, finds offensive and misguided are homophobic jokes, phrases like "That's so gay," and parents who reject or try to reform their children when they come out of the closet."

"Her views are the reason she's being honored this week by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a national advocacy group that provides support for gay people and their families. The original Abby, Phillips' 89-year-old mother, Pauline, helped put PFLAG on the map in 1984 when she first referred a distraught parent to the organization."

This is real and genuine progress for the gay and lesbian community. Dear Abby can do more to foster understanding and acceptance of the gay lifestyle than activist mayors and political grand standers who violate the law and alienate the public in general.

This is real progress in changing the hearts and minds of the public on gay rights. Thank you Jeanne Phillips. God Bless You.