Partnered, not married …

One of the postrace challenges for all teams on The Amazing Race is to "let go and let CBS" (News, "Lesbian clergy couple go on Amazing Race," Dec. 11). We couldn't be happier with the respect and care that the network's people have given to our story, but we want to be clear about one thing--the label "Married Ministers" is their creation. We lobbied for the less catchy "Partnered Clergy," but alliteration won the day.

We don't say we're married because we're not. Yes, our union is blessed by our church, and yes, we act like old married folks, but we do not yet have access to all of the civil rights that married couples do. Perhaps by simply being ourselves on this show we've nudged the nation a little closer to this goal.

Kate Lewis

Pat Hendrickson

Thousand Oaks, Calif.

COPYRIGHT 2008 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning