Dear Abby: My partner’s grown daughter is trying to prevent us from dating

Dear ABBY: We are a male couple celebrating 34 years of partnership. We recently took a cruise where we met four straight couples traveling together who welcomed us into their fold.

It was a pleasant experience and we were pleased to have made friends who we look forward to sailing with again. In fact, the group booked an upcoming cruise on board and insisted we join them.

Upon returning home and making the obligatory social media connections, we were surprised to discover the extremist views espoused by many members of the group, including, but not limited to, dangerous lies and disparagement of homosexuals. One of them said that homosexuals should be expelled from society.

Our reaction was one of disbelief, given the warmth with which we were treated during the cruise.

With the true colors now revealed, we intend to cancel the booking made on board, but are not conflicted about how or if we should explain the decision.

I am angry and ready to roar, while my pacifist husband says we should let him go. Any insight you can provide would be appreciated. – CONFLICTED AT SEA

DEAR CONFLICT: Hold on to your patience. You would be within your rights (as well as the parameters of decency) to contact people and ask if they still feel this way about gays after the cruise.

If the answer is yes, ask why they would invite you and your partner to travel with them again.

While you’re at it, state that the comments they posted were untrue, unwanted, and hurtful, and that you won’t be traveling with them anywhere again.

DEAR ABBY: My neighbor “Hank’s” wife died 2 1/2 years ago. My husband passed away 18 months ago.

I would see Hank at church and always ask him how he was doing. I would also see him sitting outside in his backyard crying and talking to his dogs. So, I decided to take them every now and then whatever I had cooked – pot roast, meatloaf, etc.

His grown children would come over on Saturdays to take him out to eat and maybe spend a few hours with him. They all work and have their own families.

Hank eventually invited me to dinner and we became friends. As soon as his daughter found out we were dating, she stopped it. She checks on her dad.

Hank and I see each other less and less now, and she has even found him another friend.

Hank calls and says he misses me and our conversations. Part of me feels like I’m moving on. The rest want to continue our friendship. Any advice would be appreciated. – BUILT IN TEXAS

Dear Obstructed: I don’t know what it is about you that Hank’s daughter doesn’t like or looks threatening. You won’t know unless you ask Hank.

While you’re at it, tell him you miss him, too, and want to keep seeing him.

You and Hank are both adults and should be able to see each other if you both want to.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.