Central Texas UUs Witness for Love & Marriage
Post by Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis
Chair, Social Action Committee, First UU Church of Austin, TX
Over fifty members of the Unitarian Universalist Churches of Central Texas took part in a march and rally for Marriage Equality this past Saturday, October 16. The event was coordinated by GetEQUAL Texas in honor of National Coming Out Day, October 11. Close to two hundred marchers made their voices heard as they sang and chanted their way through Austin’s downtown city streets towards the state’s capital. They followed a horse-drawn carriage, decked out in wedding finery, as it carried two same-sex couples ready to take their vows.
The Rev. Meg Barnhouse, minister of The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, conducted their marriage ceremony on the Capitol Steps upon their arrival. Approximately another twenty additional couples also came forward to be married at the same time.
Rev. Barnhouse spoke positively of the future when she stated “This ceremony is not recognized by the state of Texas…yet!”
The crowd cheered and applauded in solidarity for what was such a meaningful, memorable moment in the lives of these brave couples. One woman reported to Rev. Barnhouse, “Seeing the support of your faith community has renewed my own faith.”
Central Texas UUs are happy to be “Standing on the Side of Love!”
