Defiant church won't marry straight couples [View All]

[deadparrot]

MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minneapolis church has voted to stop performing civil marriages for heterosexuals because civil marriage isn't offered to same-gender couples.

"I will officiate at only religious marriages for same- and opposite-gender couples alike," said the Rev. Don Portwood of the Lyndale United Church of Christ. "I will no longer sign marriage licenses as an agent of the state of Minnesota, until the state of Minnesota recognizes the loving commitment of all couples."

The congregation's April 9 vote makes the church the second in the state to refuse to perform civil marriages. White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church made a similar stand a few years ago.

Lyndale joins a small group of churches across the country that won't perform civil marriages for male-female couples because same-sex couples aren't allowed to marry.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/defiantchurchwontmarrystraightcouples