Family Reunion Continued

I rewrote the letter. Feedback is appreciated. Click here for original letter/backstoryDear Family,I was very much looking forward to introducing my wonderful boyfriend to all of you this summer despite the significant financial strain it would have put on both of us to take time off of work and travel such a distance. In planning for the trip I never thought to consider that he may not be welcome. Yes, I understood his presence would probably make some people uncomfortable—surely no one would be more uncomfortable than the two of us—but we both felt it would be well worth a little discomfort. I suppose it was wrong of me to assume that I could bring someone without asking, but I was genuinely surprised to hear that he would not be allowed to attend. If I had known that any one person or any group of people had the authority to say who may or may not come, I would have at least made an attempt to go through the proper channels.You probably didn't mean any harm, but whether intentional or not you did hurt me. If I was the only one affected I would have endured in silence and put on a smile like I always do, but you didn't just hurt me, you hurt someone that I love. The damage has been done and the tears have been shed, and no apology can undo that. I chose not to attend this reunion because it would have inevitably lead to conflict. If you think I could go the whole weekend without addressing this issue then you must never have had someone you love be ostracized for no good reason.If the issue is simply that we would make you uncomfortable then I respect that and we will both wait until you are ready, but I don't think that's the problem. When I said that I won't go without my boyfriend I was told that I was trying to "push my beliefs" onto people. That is not at all the case—I'm simply trying to live my life like a normal person, but if your belief system is so fragile that the presence of one healthy same-sex relationship would endanger it then maybe you should rethink what you believe. And if you're worried that we would confuse your young people then maybe you should learn to talk to your children. Do you think you're doing them or yourself any favors by shielding them from reality because it contradicts your worldview? I think they are smarter than that.It's so tempting to try and write something to deal pain in equal measure to what was received, but I don't want to tear down and destroy. I want to repair the damage that has been done and open the door for us to grow closer as a family. I hope that everyone has a wonderful time without us this year, and I look forward to bringing my boyfriend with me to the next reunion.I love you all very much and I wish you peace and joy.