Since the Dear Abby advice column is read all over the country (1,400 newspapers in all), it's nice to have the woman who writes the column, Jeanne Phillips (aka Abigail Van Buren) be in favor of gay marriage. Phillips, who took over the column for her mother several years ago, is being honored by PFLAG for her contributions to gay visibility.
Here's what Phillips has to say about gay marriage: "I believe if two people want to commit to each other, God bless 'em ... That is the highest form of commitment, for heaven's sake ... If gay Americans are not allowed to get married and have all the benefits that American citizens are entitled to by the Bill of Rights, they should get one hell of a tax break. That is my opinion."
Her mother has been a supporter of PFLAG for nearly 25 years and Phillips said the column will not change its stance: "If they are my readers, they know how I feel on the subject," she said. "I don't think I'm a flaming radical. I'm for civility in life. I'm for treating each other with respect, trying to do the best you can."