Equality for all families in America, please

California’s Prop. 8 and the Arkansas ban on gay foster parents shakes us to the core as we joyously celebrate the election of Barack Obama.

On May 7, 2005, we agreed to be part of The Mirror’s feature on Federal Way mothers in honor of Mother’s Day. We had been married in Canada — Sandy’s hometown is Montreal, and were in the midst of planning our Jewish wedding ceremony.

On July 24, 2007, we agreed to be interviewed as our family stood in line for domestic partner cards the morning the new Washington state law went into effect.

Last June, we flew to California to marry the same weekend we threw a 40th wedding anniversary party for our parents, who live in San Jose, Rachel’s hometown. There, the entire family met not just the moms and our three biological children, but also our foster children.

Last year alone, 16 children came through our home — usually three to four at a time. We currently have three in placement: A 9-month-old baby boy, 3-and-a-half-year-old little girl and a 10-year-old boy.

On election night, we pulled out sleeping bags and gave every child an outline map of the USA. With every state ready to color in, the excitement built. Expecting it to be a long night, we planned to pull an all-nighter with the family sleeping out in the living room by the TV awaiting the news.

Obama’s election was celebrated with joyous tears and cheers! Like so many parents, I looked into the eyes of my 9-month-old African American foster child and whispered, “You can truly become and do anything.”

The morning news of Proposition 8 in California repealing our marriage was crushing. Then to hear about Arkansas banning gay foster parents… this scared our children. One looked at us frightened that they would take him away. We had to allay his fears while inside shaking with horror and disbelief that this was really happening in America — and on such a day of promise and new beginnings.

If you would like to talk to a family who collects marriage licenses and foster children like some collect spoons, please give us a call.

We have always been willing to be the public human face of the issue of family equality.

Rachel Smith-Mosel

Federal Way

Owners of pit bulls pay the price

As a responsible pit bull owner, I cringe every time I see negative headlines involving pit bulls.

Not only does my heart goes out to the victims and families of those experiencing the tragedy of any dog attack, but I also know it’s another nail in the breed-specific legislation (BSL) coffin, caused by irresponsible ownership.

This isn’t a “pit bull problem.” It’s a “people problem.” Irresponsible owners equal negative pit bull stories. A breed ban only affects the already law-abiding citizens who own the breed. Criminal-minded folks don’t care if they’re breaking the law. Murder has been against the law for ages, yet death row is full of killers.

I’ve responsibly owned this breed for over 20 years. All my dogs are fully and properly socialized, trained and cared for. There are many other pit bull owners out there like me. You just don’t hear of them — positive stories just don’t grab the public attention and ratings as well as the negative ones.

Pit bulls currently work as service dogs, search and rescue dogs, even drug and explosives detection dogs for law enforcement agencies. The United Kennel Club has a special designation for dogs excelling in the areas of conformation, obedience, agility and weight pull. Currently, there are 39 dogs awarded the title, 24 of which are pit bull or bully breed dogs.

As a pit bull owner/lover, I strongly support enforcing/strengthening existing laws on the books for dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. I fully support making the owners of any breeds responsible for their dog’s actions.

I don’t have all the answers, but know that taking away my beloved dogs/family members/service dog doesn’t “fix” anything, but to make me and my dogs pay for somebody else’s irresponsibility. Would any of you out there like to pay the price for another’s crime? A breed ban is asking that exact question.

Julia McCollam

Tacoma