On Gay Marriage In Churches, Stances Vary Among Religions, Clergy, Members

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/gay-marriage-church-religion-prop-8-doma_n_3469191.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Jaweed KaleemBecome a fan

Posted: 06/26/2013 12:16 pm EDT


Vin Testa, a gay-rights activist, waves a flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court June 24 in Washington, D.C.

Though the Supreme Court has declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and invalidated California's gay marriage ban, marriage remains a complicated and contested issue among religious denominations.

Nationwide, supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage rights announced plans following the rulings Wednesday for prayer meetings and other gatherings, including an event supporting same-sex marriage on Wednesday in the Washington National Cathedral.

“We are ringing our bells at the cathedral to celebrate the extension of federal marriage equality to all the same-sex couples modeling God’s love in lifelong covenants," said the Episcopal church's Rev. Gary Hall. "Our prayers for continued happiness are with them and with all couples who will be joined in matrimony in the years to come."

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which supported DOMA and has been one of the largest national advocates against same-sex marriage, and the Southern Baptist Convention, said it will continue efforts to stop same-sex marriage from being further legalized. (The court ruling on California's Proposition 8 effectively will allow gay marriage in the state, but does change same-sex marriage laws or bans in other states).

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[hrmjustin]

1. This weekend is the Gay Pride Parade here in NY and my paraish and many of the Episcopal...

... parishes will be marching. MY Bishop will be marching. I won't be because I will be on the grounds of the church helping to feed the firemen and fire women and the police that march and guard the parade. After the parade my church will have an evensong presided by the Bishop and than we will have a party after. I am the Thurifer at the service, which means I will swing the incense around. I will be the bartender for the party.

On Saturday we will have a picnic for LGBT families and allies in our playground. We usually get 300-400 people that show up to it.

I am very grateful to belong to a denomination and parish that loves me for who I am, and I wish the same for all LGBT people of faith.

[cbayer]

2. Sounds wonderful, Justing.

I attended the Gay Pride Parade in NY many, many years ago and attended some during the darkest of the AIDS years.

Hope you have a great time and that the weather is perfect!

[hrmjustin]

3. Thanks cbayer!

The Aids years were very dark. I was still too young in the 80's and early 90's to fully understand it but when you read and hear about it, it is chilling.

My Parish was known as a parish that welcomed people with HIV/AIDS. In a period of three months the parish did 90 funerals in a span of 3 months and they were almost all AIDS related deaths. In contrast we on average bury 10-15 people a year from our parish today.

[cbayer]

4. It was the darkest of the dark, Justin.

I was in NYC and New Orleans for the bulk of it - both places which were devastated..

In both, local churches and other religious groups were instrumental in coordinating efforts to support and assist the community.

I know that didn't happen everywhere, but it did happen.

[auntsue]

5. As a recovering catholic

and emerging Episcopalian................... I am so proud of my new church !!!! At my parish we have a lesbian priest AND in LA county a lesbian bishop !!!!

[cbayer]

6. That is so cool and, thankfully, so much less rare.

We still have a long way to go, but many are the right path.

[trotsky]

8. Congrats to you for joining a more inclusive, tolerant faith community.

Well done!

[dimbear]

7. The response of Marriott International was encouraging, in its own way.

Marriott was definitely smacked by the blowback from Proposition 8. Even tho the Marriotts made it clear they didn't actively contribute to that fiasco, they got plenty of cancellations and loud static. People made noise, Marriotts listened, and they signed on to the amicus brief against DOMA, along with a multitude of other corporations.

You know I've been riding the Mormons on this for years, but they're seeing the light. They're listening to a higher power. Money.

I like to think they're tired of loudmouthed people (like me) giving them crap.

[cbayer]

9. Sure was. I heard an interview with a Marriott spokesperson yesterday

that was really positive.

But the whole Mormon connection is kind of mystifying.

[dimbear]

10. The old agage comes to mind "The squeaking wheel is soonest greased."

I say let's keep on squeaking.