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(Atlanta, Georgia) With a possible
historic vote looming on a measure supporting same-sex marriage, the head of the
United Church of Christ has publicly endorsed the resolution for the first time.
The Rev. John H. Thomas said that the church's
General Synod "should affirm the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender
persons" to have marriages "equal in name, privileges and
responsibilities to married heterosexual couples."
"I believe our local churches, as they are
able, should move toward the development of marriage equality policies,"
Thomas added during a speech at Emory University.
That remark drew a lengthy standing ovation from
the audience of about 200.
"While some denominations work to shut down
the national conversation on challenges facing gay families, UCC congregations
and regional bodies have lovingly discussed the needs of these families, whom
they embrace as sisters and brothers," said Human Rights Campaign President
Joe Solmonese.
The same-sex marriage resolution is one of three
expected to be voted on by the General Synod at its annual meeting this weekend
in Atlanta. If it passes, the church would be the first mainstream Christian
denomination in the country to officially support the marriages of gays and
lesbians.
Church members could also choose to support a
"one man, one woman" marriage resolution or a resolution calling for
prayer and study of the same-sex marriage issue. Recently, backers of the third
option endorsed the same-sex resolution and condemned the "one man, one
woman" resolution as discriminatory.
The 1.3 million-member United Church of Christ
has a history of supporting gays in its denomination, dating to 1972, when it
ordained the first openly gay minister and established a gay caucus.
The UCC's General Synod previously has approved
holy unions for non-married couples.
Last year the UCC caused a stir in the growing
marriage debate when it created a television advertising campaign that featured
a gay couple, among others, being excluded from a church. CBS and NBC rejected
the 30-second ads. (story)
The 30-second commercial features two
muscle-bound "bouncers" standing guard outside a picturesque church
and selecting which persons are permitted to attend Sunday services. Written
text interrupts the scene, announcing, "Jesus didn't turn people away.
Neither do we." A narrator then proclaims the United Church of Christ's
commitment that: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's
journey, you are welcome here."
UCC churches are autonomous, meaning that the
General Synod does not create policy for its more than 5,700 congregations.
Thomas said he was disappointed that some congregations are considering leaving
the denomination if the same-sex resolution is approved.
©365Gay.com 2005
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