Clergy at local church refuse to sign state marriage licenses in gay-rights protest

[Are_grits_groceries]

Clergy at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Cleveland no longer will sign state marriage licenses until gay unions are legal in Ohio.

That means heterosexual couples exchanging wedding vows at the 461-member church in the Tremont neighborhood will need an additional civil ceremony by a justice of the peace or a judge to make their union legal.

The move, approved by an overwhelming voice vote during a congregational meeting over the weekend, is a civil-rights protest, said the Rev. John Tamilio III, head pastor of Pilgrim.

The church board of directors and the congregation agreed that signing marriage licenses for straight couples and not gay couples is unfair, he said.

"It treats one segment of our congregation like second-class citizens. That is an injustice," said Tamilio. "We will still perform holy unions for all couples, we just won't sign the state license."
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/clergy_at_local_church_refuse.html

Heh! Love it!!

[HillWilliam]

1. At the risk for sounding trite, but truly I mean this heartfelt

G'dde bless them for doing SOMETHING that gets noticed and talked about. Raising awareness and getting people to discuss and think about issues is half the battle. Every tiny way of demonstrating and fighting the battle is worthwhile. My thanks to Rev Tamilio and his staff and congregation.

[JerseygirlCT]

2. Good for them!

I hope we see this catching on.