Dear non-profit organizations of the world,
During this joyous season of bulk-mail solicitations, I thought I should just clear up what seems to be a fairly common misconception. There is no “Mrs. David Welsh.” As I think back on the information I provided when I made the donation that put me on your mailing list in the first place, I gave you know indication whatsoever of my marital status.
So why didn’t you exercise the tiniest amount of caution in your correspondence? Because some donors might find your heterosexist assumptions the tiniest bit insulting when they live someplace where their life partnership isn’t recognized by law. Some donors might actually decide to never again send any financial support your way because you can’t seem to honor the way they’ve chosen to identify themselves. Some might even briefly wish they could retrieve the donations they’ve already made.
In fairness, you had no way of knowing I was gay and partnered based on the information that accompanied my donation. At the same time, you had no earthly reason to assume I was married, and even less reason to extrapolate that assumption into your database.
Cut it out. Seriously.
Also, to everyone who thinks singing “Jingle Bell Rock” will get more people to drop change into your kettle: You’re very, very wrong.
Warmest holiday wishes,
David