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Amazing Mom: Yolande Dumont
Filed under: Adoption, Gay Parenting, Media, Resources, Religion & Spirituality, Amazing Kids, Amazing Parents, Sex
Yolande Dumont with her grandson, Ethan. Dumont Family Photo.
Yolande's Family: Husband: Julien, married 54 years; Kids: Michelle Reese, 51, Ronald, 50, Rene, 47, Raymond, 43
Yolande Lives In: Lewiston, Maine
Why Yolande Is Amazing: Yolande Dumont is decidedly a mother -- not an activist. But when her son asked her to support the Protect Maine Equality campaign, designed to encourage voters to approve same-sex marriage, the mother of four had to step up.
Her loving description of her son's relationship with his partner and their adopted son became one of the cornerstone television ads in the fall 2009 campaign asking Maine voters not to overturn a law allowing gay marriage."When I get to talking about something I feel very strongly, I forget to be shy," she says. "I start speaking through the heart."
In the commercial, Yolande was filmed saying, "I've been a Catholic all my life. My faith means a lot to me. Marriage to me is a great institution that works, and it's what I want for my children, too."
When the ad started appearing, it created a stir within the Catholic community. Brian Burch, the president of the Chicago-based organization CatholicVoteAction.org, characterized it as 'shameless'.
He said the ad suggested that the Catholic Church does not support the traditionally recognized nature of marriage and called it "disingenuous, dishonest, and an insult to the intelligence of Catholic voters in Maine."
In the weeks leading up to the election, where voters ultimately repealed the law allowing same-sex marriage, Yolande and her husband Julien stopped attending services at the Catholic church.
"It's very hard. It hurts," she says. "I miss it."
But the couple felt unwelcome in church where leaders were asking priests to speak out against gay marriage. "I don't feel that I've done anything wrong," she says. "My faith is intact."
Yolande was surprised by how much positive reaction the commercial also received. Friends and family praised her efforts. She only received one hate letter.
Although she's not accustomed to the limelight, Yolande says she felt a duty to let others know how she felt about the issue and its impact on her family. She says she was proud to speak up for her youngest son because she loves him and his partner.
"Raymond is a good person. He's a hard worker. He's raising a family," she says. "I don't feel it's his choice that he's gay. I gave birth to those children. It was my responsibility to raise them and educate them and now I need to be there for them."
Yolande's Son Raymond Says: "She always made us feel strong enough to say exactly what we believe in."
Recognition: Yolande received a phone call from Maine Governor John E. Baldacci thanking her for the work she did on the Protect Maine Equity campaign. She also was recognized at the Equality Maine Annual Dinner.
Yolande's Guilty Pleasures: Friendly's pistachio ice cream and a nip of sherry after dinner.
Yolande's Best Advice: "It's very important to support your children. If your mother doesn't support you, who will?"
Related: Amazing Mom: Lisa Spicknall-Horner
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
5-13-2010 @ 2:16AM
alias said...NOW THAT IS HOW A PERSON OF A RELIGIOUS FAITH SHOULD BEHAVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS. THIS COUNTRY THAT GIVES ALL OF US RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. A COUNTRY WHERE LEGALLY NO FORM OF RELIGION SHOULD EVER SHAPE GOVERNMENT POLICY. NO ETHICAL PERSON WOULD EVER VOTE TO SHAPE POLICY ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN FAITH WHICH MUST REMAIN PRIVATE AND A FREE CHOICE. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF, IT IS ONLY YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE FOR YOUR SELF NOT OTHERS. IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO SHOVE YOUR RELIGION ON OTHERS. YOLANDA SHOWS YOU CAN STILL HAVE A 'FAITH' AND BE TOLERANT OF OTHERS.
YOU TELL THEM YOLANDA, GOD HAS NOT COME DOWN AND KILLED YOU FOR BEING KIND AND OPEN MINDED. YOU KEEP TELLING THE REST OF THESE SELFISH CHRISTIANS TO MYOB. IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. SO LISTEN TO YOLANDA OR SHUT THE HECK UP. WE ARE SICK OF YOU MEAN, HATEFUL CHRISTIANS MOUTHING OFF ALL THE TIME. IF YOU CAN'T BE NICE LIKE YOLANDA, SHUT THE YAPS BEFORE SOME ONE STUFFS THEM FULL OF TEA BAGS TO SHUT YOU UP.
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5-09-2010 @ 5:18AM
Tobie Hunsucker said...Some people are born with blue eyes, some with brown eyes, some with red hair, some with black hair, some hetrosexual and some homosexual. You love your child because of who they are, not because of their natural proclivities. They should not be penalized because of who they are and should be allowed the freedom to live their lives in the way that is natural to them. Why must we demonize those who are different from us. Maybe we should think that they are not different from us, but that we are different from them.
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5-09-2010 @ 7:25AM
Mary said...Marriage is between a man and a woman. Remember Sodom and
Gomorrah. Leviticus18:22You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. Clearly God wants a man and a woman to reproduce. A mans urges are not sinful. Homosexual acts are. We are to resist these urges for they are temptations. In short the church teaches us to hate the sin of homosexual acts, but to love the sinners who engage in those acts. So vote no on same sex marriages.
5-13-2010 @ 2:46AM
alias said...MARY, who left you in charge of the church rules? Not that I can believe any one should care, the popes broke the rules ALL the time why shouldn't every one else. There are no good examples to follow in the churches.
5-09-2010 @ 5:47AM
Simzee said...Too bad my Mother is'nt as nice as this lady. My only regret in life is that my Father did'nt shoot my mom when he had the chance. I could see why he did'nt....but he should've.
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5-09-2010 @ 6:41AM
Marie said...I'm sorry Simzee, but I know where you are coming from. Here is the thing, forget her. Leave her be and go live your life.
No matter WHAT your parents do to your or did to you, one can overcome it. Go and be in peace.
Be well
5-09-2010 @ 6:33AM
sarah block said...there is a legal component to marriage and a religious one. We are just saying that legally, people of the same sex should be able to be legally married. that is all. Why religions feel threatened by this, is a real mystery to me.
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5-13-2010 @ 2:32AM
alias said...I see that skank enuf has no spine, can't even take a comment. You spineless crybaby bitch.
CATHY --- 'you say suiting your own needs', like there is something wrong with that? Don't you constitutional evangelicals do the same, your much more likely to know the second ascendant than the second commandment. But who cares as long as it suits your needs. Oh and you Constitution worshipers should know that the man you worship for writing the constitution, Thomas Jefferson because you think what he wrote was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great (regardless of the many many amendments. DID not ever see eye to eye with you crazy christians. Jefferson hated religion, and thought the notion of god was the stupidest thing he ever heard of. Having wrote in depth about it, it seems likely he may have been the one most responsible for the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE part of the constitution. If you would open a book every now and again you would know that.
5-09-2010 @ 7:05AM
Cathy said...Faith that embraces gay marriage is not Catholic and not based on the Bible. Sounds like she invented her own god to suit her needs.
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5-09-2010 @ 7:33AM
6541enuf said...Who are you to play God and what's right and wrong? I can see from what you've written that you've let your close-mindedness lead you down this path of self assurance that your beliefs are the only one that matter, that God could not be so wise and all-knowing that He created mankind in all shapes and forms. I've had my fill of people of "faith" telling others what's right and wrong. Why don't you take a lesson from this woman and let love and your heart make some decisions for you, instead of showing the world what little you know of being one of God's creations. Let me ask you this, oh woman of great stature and composure, how do you sleep at night knowing that there are a myriad of problems out there that you as a Catholic person of faith should be doing something about? From your entry here I can see that you know how to do two things very well: wag your tongue and your finger at those that look, act, think, and live differently than you. The Catholic faith has lost its way and the life full of faith, hope, and charity is now secondary to scolding, berating, and putting down those who choose to differ with the politicized means of the Catholic Church these days. So, as my momma has told me more than once, and I love her for teaching me this, before you criticize anyone for being different from you, walk a mile in their shoes and experience the life they're living. Then, when you're perfect, take the time to criticize. Until that happens (your perfection becomes reality), realize that we're all not the same but that we're all loved the same. What did your momma teach you?
5-09-2010 @ 7:35AM
David S. said...Eh, here is a newsflash for you, Cathy. Cafeteria catholics are a dime a dozen. And not just Catholics either. As my father used to say, if he had a dollar for every religious hypocrite, he'd be rich. But then we can't all be as perfect a Christian as you, Cathy. It is not as if this lady is the only Catholic parent (or parent of any faith) out there with a gay child. When things hit close to home, most parents put their kids first and their faith second. What Ms. Dumont has done is put her son first. Anyway, I hope you never have a gay child. Apparently the only thing they could count on you for is bible quotes and hatred.
5-09-2010 @ 8:07AM
Sally said...Every human who embraces a higher power has "invented a god to suit their own needs." I have no problem with anyone believing whatever they want to, but I have a big problem with people who believe that their faith is the only "true" one and that anyone who believes differently is wrong. Since the beginning of humankind, people have made up gods and stories about them to satisfy the need we all have to feel part of something greater and to justify the many mysteries of life that we can not explain. Christian faith--including catholicism--is no more right or real than any other religion, because it's all made up anyway, to suit human emotional needs. I applaud the woman in this article because she has clearly chosen to embrace love--especially the love of her child--above the teachings of a church that has proven itself time and again to be about anything but loving.
5-13-2010 @ 2:45AM
alias said...I see that skank enuf has no spine, can't even take a comment. You spineless crybaby bitch.
BETTER CORRECT MY TYPING ERRORS...............
CATHY --- 'you say suiting your own needs', like there is something wrong with that? Don't you constitutional evangelicals do the same, your much more likely to know the second amendment than the second commandment. But who cares as long as it suits your needs. Oh and you Constitution worshipers should know that the man you worship for writing the constitution, Thomas Jefferson because you think what he wrote was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great (regardless of the many many amendments that have been CHANGED, JEFFERSON DID not ever see eye to eye with you crazy christians. Jefferson hated religion, and thought the notion of god was the stupidest thing he ever heard of. Having wrote in depth about it, it seems likely he may have been the one most responsible for the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE part of the constitution. If you would open a book every now and again you would know that.
5-09-2010 @ 7:12AM
Rita Pantoja said...Yolande - your courage and conviction embodies the true meaning of Christianity. The answer to the age old question "what would Jesus do?" in your situation is a no-brainer - you did it.
There is no need for you to stop attending church. The Episcopal religion is one of tolerance and love for all, and my Catholic friends have told me an Episcopal service is almost identical to its Catholic counterpart. I urge you to give it a try.
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5-09-2010 @ 7:16AM
Andrea said...Dear Yolande,
Happy Mother's Day!!
You are so lucky to have such a beautiful family.
Your children are very fortunate to have you.
I am sorry the church has such a narrow vision and forget the message.............LOVE
That is what is all about!!
Enjoy the day!!!
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5-13-2010 @ 2:45AM
alias said...A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED, NICE CHRISTENS. i CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT.
5-09-2010 @ 7:28AM
Pat said...Yolande, Happy Mother's Day to you and your wonderful family.
I am a lapsed Catholic. I do not approve of the narrow view they have. God does not love chosen people- God loves everyone.
You enjoy the day and I'm so glad there are people in the world like you.
About the Episcopal services- maybe I should give it a try Thanks, Rita!
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5-09-2010 @ 7:28AM
Sammie said...Happy Mother's Day Yolanda...
And thank you.. from gay couples and gay families everywhere. You're a shining star and your children are very lucky indeed.
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5-09-2010 @ 6:11PM
jean said...I couldn't have said it better. How dare some people question lifestyles that don't hurt anyone. Being gay is not a choice, it is a person's innate character. God made them, too, and he made them gay!! Some narrow minded and petty people are just looking for something to pick on because their own lives are so unfulfilled. I'll bet a dollar to a donut I could find a lot to shame them with. "Live and let live."
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5-09-2010 @ 12:50PM
Chimney said..." Brian Burch, the president of the Chicago-based organization CatholicVoteAction.org, characterized it as 'shameless'.
He said the ad suggested that the Catholic Church does not support the traditionally recognized nature of marriage and called it "disingenuous, dishonest, and an insult to the intelligence of Catholic voters in Maine.""
I didn't hear where this lady suggested this at all! I think this guy is twisting her words to meet his needs, she was only saying that she hopes that gay marriage would be just as accepted as heterosexual marriage.
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