In 1982, advice columnist Dear Abby published a letter from someone who'd just moved from a conservative Midwestern town to bohemian Portland, Ore.
Suddenly the advice seeker was interacting with gay couples and wanted to know: Should a letter be addressed to "Mr. John Doe and Friend?'"
Is it proper to say, "This is so-and-so and his lover"?
The writer went on: "'Would it be proper to introduce a gay couple as, 'Mr.