Former Seattle Councilwoman Cheryl Chow
is featured in an ad supporting gay marriage in Washington state.
Chow, 66, only recently publicly
acknowledged her sexual orientation. She and her partner of 10
years, Sarah Morningstar, are raising 4-year-old Liliana. Chow, who
is suffering from terminal brain cancer, said she embarked on “her
last crusade” to help LGBT youth.
“Parents and kids, don't be afraid of
saying that you're gay,” she told King 5 News. “I was afraid for
over 60 years and those 60 years are wasted.”
In the ad, Morningstar's mother, Chris
Morningstar, discusses the couple's relationship.
“I'm so proud of my daughter Sarah,”
Morningstar says in the 30-second ad. “She and her partner,
Cheryl, are just wonderful parents. When Cheryl was diagnosed with
brain cancer, my heart just went out to all of them. It really hurts
watching them fight this cancer. And what's just as hard is
watching what they've had to go through because they're not legally
married.”
“One night in the hospital, Cheryl
had a seizure. She was asking for Sarah and no one called.”
“Only marriage guarantees all couples
can be there for each other when it really matters,” she adds.
(The video is embedded on this page. Visit
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Voters in November will decide to
either uphold or repeal a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers.
(Related: Washington
gay marriage support holds 18-point lead.)