In an effort to help support the Human Rights Campaign's battle against the various "license to discriminate" bills that have cropped up around the country, Sally Field has written a heartwarming letter about the struggles of her gay son Sam Greisman, reports E! Online.
The HRC has set a goal of raising $150, 000 by Monday to fight proposed antigay legislation, and the Brothers & Sisters star says she is proud to lend her voice to the cause.
"Sam is my youngest son, by 18 years, and he's gay. To that, I say: So what?" writes the award-winning actress. "Growing up, Sam wanted desperately to just be like his older brothers -- athletic, rambunctious and even a little bit macho. He wanted to beat Eli at tennis, trounce Peter at computer football and learn everything about every basketball player on the court. But Sam was different. And his journey to allow himself to be what nature intended him to be was not an easy one."
"Finally, at 20, long after he beat his brothers at tennis and computer games and knew as much as anyone about basketball, Sam was able to stand up proudly and say, 'I am a gay man,'" she continues. "Sam knows that if he ever marries, he'll have my full support. After all, I like to believe I raised him with the good sense to choose a great partner," Field writes. But there are people out there -- organizations and politicians, strangers who have never even met Sam -- who would rather devote themselves to denying his happiness. Why would anyone want to prevent my son -- or anyone's son or daughter -- from having basic legal safeguards like family medical leave, Social Security survivors benefits, or health insurance? It doesn't make any sense -- but it won't change until people speak out. I'm proud to stand with HRC to add my voice. Will you join me?"
Field was presented with an ally award from the HRC in 2012, and in an interview with Oprah Winfrey later that year she said, "It's important to have a parent speak about raising a magnificent, proud, intelligent, funny, lovable, sexy gay son."
She added, "There are so many parents who are frightened of that and who don't embrace their children as they struggle. Those children are struggling to embrace who they are, who nature -- what nature intended them to be."
