Real Stories on the Importance of Marriage Equality
Steve Ledoux shared this wonderful video of why marriage matters to him and his husband Mark.
Additional stories are available at Why Marriage?
Biblical/Theological Resources on Marriage Equality
Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture (pdf), A Position Statement Adopted by the 123rd General Assembly (1983) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
A Time to Embrace: Same-Gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics by Dr. William Stacy Johnson. Dr. William Stacy Johnson holds the Arthur M. Adams Chair of Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. An ordained Presbyterian minister and a lawyer, he earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University, his J.D. from Wake Forest University, and his M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. There is a free study guide available for the book.A Confessional Affirmation on Marriage Equality (2012) (pdf) by Ken Cuthbertson, a PCUSA minister, ordained for almost 30 years, who teaches religious studies, accompanies people as a spiritual director and retreat leader, and serves as Parish Associate at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church in the village of Placitas, NM. See also his Apologia for Marriage (pdf)
The 219th General Assembly on Marriage Equality
On July 8, 2010, the 219th General Assembly voted to make Overture 12-12, The Final Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage to the 219th General Assembly (2010) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the answer to all marriage overtures passed by the Civil Unions and Marriage Committee. The vote was 348 to 324 with 6 abstentions. The General Assembly did not consider overtures changing the definition of marriage from "a man and a woman" to "two people" or giving pastors the discretion to marry LGBT people in States that provide civil unions. A motion to reconsider the following day was defeated by 275 to 407.
Overture 12-12 and The Final Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage to the 219th General Assembly (2010) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is available here.
On July 6, 2010, the Civil Unions and Marriage Committee passed Overtures 12-04 and 12-06. They where answered by Overture 12-12 in the Plenary.
The Ecumenical Community on Marriage Equality
At the 11th Biennial Churchwide Assembly (2009), The Evangelical Lutheran Church adopted the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. As of 2009, pastors may preside over same-gender marriages where they are not prohibited by civil law.
The Episcopal Church authorized a new blessing for the union of gay or lesbian couples at their 77th General Convention in July, 2012. The resolution allows provisional use of a liturgical rite for gay and lesbian couples on their wedding day.
The Civil Rights Picture for Marriage Equality
In May 2011, for the first time in Gallup's tracking of the issue, a majority of Americans (53%) believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.
In addition to support for LGBT Pride Month, the Obama Administration supports the Respect for Marriage Act and the adoption of children by same-sex couples. President Obama recently declared his full support for marriage equality.
The following map shows the civil rights picture as of November 10, 2011. Click on the map to learn more about marriage equality in your state.
The Medical and Psychological Community on Marriage Equality
In August 2011, by a unanimous vote of 157-0, the American Psychological Association (APA) approved a resolution supporting full marriage equality for LGBT families. The Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Marriage (pdf) can be downloaded from the APA.
In June 2011, the American Medical Association (AMA) approved a resolution supporting full marriage equality for LGBT families. H-65.973 Health Care Disparities in Same-Sex Partner Households can be read at the AMA.
