Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles
SPECIAL PROP 8 RELEASE
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Dear Friends,
I have just this second stepped back into the church office and I wanted to write you immediately.
I have just returned from a Press Conference this morning, hosted at the Lucy Florence Coffee House and Cultural Center on 43rd Street. We gathered there this morning to respond to the California Supreme Court's decision on the validity of Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment voted on last November that would deny the right to marry to our lesbian and gay citizens.
As you will probably now know, the Supreme Court, by a 6-1 majority upheld Proposition 8 and, for the first time in our shared history, a constitutional amendment has been used to write discrimination into such a document. The tyranny of a majority can now, in California, use the ballot box to undermine the rights of a minority. It is a sad day for democracy, the authority of the Supreme Court and for our State.
While I am delighted that the 18,000 couples who were legally married during the short period that they were able to do so, I am saddened that I am no longer able to marry my lesbian and gay friends, in the same way that I am able to do so for my heterosexual friends. |
This is a significant moment in our history and goes far beyond the right to marry for lesbian and gay people. We have today let it be known that, regardless of what the California Supreme Court rules, it can be debated at the ballot box and the majority will have the final say. One has to ask the question, "who will targeted next?" What other minorities will be subject to majority rule?
On Saturday, we "Meet in the Middle, in Fresno, CA, for a unique rally of peoples from across the State, bringing the message of equality and justice for all peoples to the heartlands.
Today, I bring my anger, my passion, my sadness, my disbelief and I channel all of this, peacefully, knowing that the fight is not over. I will commit to channel all of this to repeat the words of the great prophet who said, "Let justice roll down like mighty waters."
We have taken a step backwards, but victory will be ours, someday!
Sincerely, in Christ
The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas,
Senior Pastor
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PUBLIC STATEMENT
From Metropolitan Community Churches
Denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches Responds
To Mixed Decision By California Supreme Court
Ruling
Upholds 18,000 Same-Sex Marriages in California
The denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches expresses its deep disappointment at today's decision by the California Supreme Court upholding Proposition 8 and prohibiting same-sex marriages in the state. |
| Rev. Nancy Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches said, "While we celebrate with the 18,000 same-sex couples whose marriages will stand, we are deeply saddened by the court's decision to allow legalized discrimination against same-gender families. We will continue to work and pray for the day when all citizens are assured the blessings of equality and justice." |
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Leaders and members of Metropolitan Community Church have been involved in the struggle for Marriage Equality for four decades, among them MCC Founder Rev. Troy Perry, who performed the first public same-sex wedding in the United States in 1969, and Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, senior pastor of MCC Los Angeles and president of California Faith for Equality.
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Rev. Pat Bumgardner, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of New York City said,
"The decision of the California Supreme Court today essentially mandates segregation within the LGBT community, and that is not only legally unacceptable, it is immoral. What I want both those who support marriage equality and those who oppose it to know is that we as a people will not give up until full equality is achieved, and that it will be achieved. This battle is not over and won't be over until we are celebrating full equality across these United States." |
MCC encourages non-violent responses to today's decision. Public events are planned across the United States at which members of the community can respond to the court's ruling. For more information about these events, please visit www.dayofdecision.com.
Metropolitan Community Churches continues to stand for Marriage Equality and for full equality and justice for all people both in the United States and around the world. For additional information about MCC, visit www.MCCchurch.org.
For Further Information, Contact:
Rev. Jim Merritt
Marriage Equality Coordinator for MCC's Global Justice Team
Metropolitan Community Churches
E-mail: revjim@thecommunityactivist.com
Web: www.MCCchurch.org
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From Rev. Troy D. Perry
Founder, Metropolitan Community Churches
RESPONSE TO CALIFORNIA MARRIAGE RULING
STATEMENT:
Today, I am adding my voice to the voices of people of goodwill everywhere who are deeply disappointed that the California Supreme Court has failed to uphold marriage equality for California's citizens. |
It is ironic that the same court that ruled in favor of marriage equality last year has now denied that same right in today's ruling.
My forty years of work on behalf of human rights and social justice offer hope that today's ruling, while a setback for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples, is only a temporary setback in the quest for full equality under the law for all of our citizens.
The silver lining in the court's ruling is that the 18,000 same-sex couples who were legally married before the adoption of Proposition 8 will continue to have full marriage equality under the law.
I am joining hands with civic, political and faith leaders to redouble our efforts to guarantee marriage equality for all of our state's citizens and to pursue every possible option to achieve that goal at the earliest possible date.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY MARCH
Reverend Dr. Neil G Thomas and the church staff joined thousands
of GLBT Marriage Supporters on the evening of May 27th in West Hollywood
in response to the California Supreme Court's decisions
regarding Proposition 8.
WHAT'S NEXT?
MEET IN THE MIDDLE!
SATURDAY, MAY 30 after Decision Day
to Meet in the Middle for Marriage Equality and LGBT Rights!
Why Fresno? The battle for equality has to be fought in Middle America - in places like Fresno, CA - not only in gay-friendly cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Until we engage the communities of Middle America, we might not gain full equality.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Union Station - Los Angeles
Arrive at 8:00 AM for 8:30 Departure!
SEATS ARE LIMITED! RSVP REQUIRED.
Email ccorrales@bienestar.org if you are intersted in reserving a seat. Please provide name, phone number and email.
Don't Miss This Correspondance from Kerry of California Faith For Equality:
Review Prop 8 Struggle through MCCLA Archived Prop 8 Page
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Related MCCLA Youube videos:
California Legal Marriages
Chuck & Steve; Pam & Jane
You may ask yourself "Now why on earth would anyone
want to take that away from them? |
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