We’ve Made History in the Nation’s Capital!
Rev. Robert Hardies is Senior Minister at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, D.C. He is also co-chair of DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality.
Just moments ago, the Council of the District of Columbia took an historic stand for love. By an 11-2 margin, council members voted to legalize marriage for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens. Marriage equality is coming to the nation’s capital!
It was thrilling to be present in the Council chambers as history was being made. When the vote was announced, people shouted and wept for joy. Friends, this is what it feels like to stand on the side of love.
I want to thank so many of you for your messages of support and solidarity in recent months. You understand that what happens in the nation’s capital has significance far beyond D.C.’s borders. Further, you recognize that in D.C. we are changing the national debate on marriage equality, showing that this issue need not divide us. People of color and white people, people of faith and secular people, can all stand together on the side of love.
The Standing on the Side of Love (SSL) Campaign made a big impact here in DC, providing our interfaith coalition with a slogan to rally around, supporting our media outreach, and helping us go viral with video. Thanks to everyone across the nation who has helped support the SSL campaign, our efforts are making history.
Of course, the struggle for marriage equality in DC is not over yet. After Mayor Adrian Fenty signs the bill, the United States Congress has 30 legislative days to veto it. We hope that the U.S. Congress will respect the sovereignty of the elected leaders of the District of Columbia and stay out of our affairs. If we need your support on that front, we’ll be sure to reach out. But today, it is time to celebrate.
Please send a personal note to the D.C. City Council to express what this victory means to you.
Rev. Rob Hardies testifying before D.C. City Council.
It is encouraging to see government get back to the idea that all are equal in their pursuit of happiness.
However, I don’t agree with the idea that government should be allowed to sanction or state that same-sex marriage is legal or illegal. In fact, I believe government should get out of the marriage business entirely. Marriage is a religious construct not one of government.
Anyone should be allowed to marry whomever they love because their religion ok’s it… not the government.
I feel the same as Julian. The government should get out of the business of marriage. Since those who oppose same sex marriage appear to object to it based on their religious beliefs, the government should be excluded from managing marriage so that we can get back to the conept of separation of church and state.
All unions should first be civil unions sanctioned by the federal government. All civil unions would have equal civil rights under federal law. The civil union should take the place of a marriage certificate.
THEN – if you want to get MARRIED, you should go to the church of your choice, get a marriage certificate issued by the church, have the ceremony of your choice and live your life as you see fit.
I believe that this is the only way to level the playing ground and treat all citizens equally in the matter of “marriage”.
I’m not sure I agree about government getting out of marriage–how many people do not have a religion per se–or what about atheists? They deserve marriage just as much as GLBT and right wing fundie Christians. How many people don’t have a marriage in a church, but are married by a notary (my uncle was married by his dad at a beautiful garden). Do they not deserve to be “married”? And how about the fact that most religions are against gay marriage in the first place–who wins? The Christians? The Jews? Do we validate only Hindu marriages?
I totally understand what you’re saying–the government should not deny civil rights based on one faction who say that GLBT is wrong. But to then penalize those who want marriage and not a civil union is equally as incorrect.
Sorry for the ramble, it’s early for me.
Rock on!
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