And this clergy woman ally cried when the Windsor and Perry decisions were announced. This mom of a gay son cried. This friend of more same gender loving people than I can count cried. This 35 year advocate for sexual justice wept with joy.
The Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Same sex couples in California can get married. Legalized same sex marriages will be recognized by the federal government.
Same sex couples in 38 states still don't have the right to marriage. We're not done with fighting for equality -- but for now, we celebrate. And I have no doubt the next cases will expand these rights for all.
Here's the statement the Religious Institute just released:
STATEMENT FROM THE
REV. DEBRA W. HAFFNER, PRESIDENT, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE ON SCOTUS MARRIAGE
DECISIONS
As religious leaders, we celebrate the Supreme Court decisions
on marriage equality and that the Defense of Marriage Act has been declared
unconstitutional.
The faiths we affirm challenge us to speak and act for
justice for all who seek to express their love in the commitment of marriage. We find support for marriage equality in our scriptures
and our traditions in their overriding messages about love, justice, and
inclusion of the marginalized. Many religious traditions already perform
marriages for same-sex couples; at least a dozen Christian denominations and
Jewish movements, allow their clergy to perform marriage or union ceremonies
for same-sex couples. As religious
leaders, we affirm that persons of all sexual orientations should have the
right to civil marriage and its benefits.
As our traditions affirm, where there is love, the sacred is in our
midst.
The United States is one of the most diverse religious
countries in the world. We affirm that religious denominations must have the
right to discern who is eligible for marriage in their own tradition. In
addition, all clergy should be free to solemnize marriages without state
interference based on their own traditions and conscience. Same sex couples in
every state must have the right to legal marriage.
We join with millions of people of faith in celebrating
today. We pledge to continue our work
for marriage equality and relational justice for all.
JOIN THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE TODAY FOR A TWITTER WORSHIP SERVICE AT 1:30 P.M. EST AT #SCOTUSWORSHIP
