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Tell Arkansas newspaper: Apologize for erasing gay man's partner from Obituary
  1. Signatures
    936 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. Editor (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Editor (Angelia Roberts)
      • Assistant Managing Editor (Andrea Bruner)
      • Associate Editor (Larry Stroud)
  2. Created By
    Jay Breneman
    Erie, PA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

A newspaper from Batesville, a large town northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas, purposefully erased the name of a man's partner from his obituary because he was gay.

Terrance James, who lived with and stayed by the side of his partner, John Christopher Millican, during Millican's final hours, recently found himself erased from his partner's life by the editors of the Batesville Daily Guard.

This type of censorship is a disgrace, and brings shame upon the integrity of local journalism. Most importantly, it dishonors the life of Mr. Millican, a man who faces discrimination even after death simply because of his sexual orientation.

Send a clear message to the editors of the Batesville Daily Guard that this is unnacceptable, and that they must publish an apology and reprint the obituary without the omission.

Why People Are Signing
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Apologize for Omitting Gay Man's Partner from Obituary

Greetings,

I recently learned of your apparent disregard for the loved one of a local man who died recently, by omitting his partner from the man's obituary.

I ask that you please issue an apology immediately, and reprint the John Christopher Millican's obituary as it was submitted by -- and recognizing -- his partner, Terrance James, who lived with Mr. Millican and was there with him in his final hours.

Anything short of this would be absurd and disrespectful to the memory and life of Mr. Millican, and to all of those who desire to live in a society free of editorial censorship regarding someone's life based upon their sexual orientation.

I will await your response both in your paper, and to my e-mail address.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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