Posted on 01/30/2006 4:07:08 AM PST by chambley1
Church Holds Ceremony for Same-Sex Couples More than three dozen couples exchange vows at Arlington’s Unitarian Universalist church.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington voted to support marriage equality in 2004.
At the end of a week that saw legislators in Richmond give their blessing to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Patricia Joyner and Rebecca Lovelace cemented their five-year relationship by publicly exchanging vows for the first time. The couple were joined by more than 50 same-sex partners and heterosexual couples who reaffirmed their commitment to each other during an emotional ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington last Sunday.
The event was a bold showing of support for marriage equality at a time when legislators are posed to pass a bill that would not only prohibit gay marriage but ban civil unions and potentially jeopardize contractual agreements between individuals of the same sex.
“Unfortunately, this is as close as we are going to come to getting married in Virginia,” said Lovelace, an Alexandria resident who joined the church last year with Joyner, her partner of five years. “But it feels really good to have so much support from our friends, family and church.”
The House of Delegates approved the amendment, HB 101, 76 to 20 earlier this month, and the Senate will be voting on it soon. Last year the amendment passed both houses. Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) has signaled his support for the bill, and if the amendment is passed, it will be placed before voters in a November referendum. Critics of the amendment contend its language is overly restrictive and may have ramifications beyond its original intent.
“We already have three laws that disallow same-gender marriage and civil unions, and there is no reason to be writing this into the constitution, except some people want to make a political point,” Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49), who is openly gay, said in a phone interview from his Richmond office.
Church officials condemned the proposed amendment for going far beyond banning same-sex marriages. “To put it bluntly, this proposed constitutional amendment is mean-spirited, arises out of political maneuvering and fuels ungrounded fear and bigotry,” said Rev. Richard Nugent, during his sermon at the Unitarian Univeralist Church. “To codify discrimination based on sexual orientation is an evil which undoubtedly one day will be declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court.”
MORE THAN 400 people attended the church’s late-morning service, and most of them stayed to witness the vow ceremony, which included a performance by the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington.
Within the Unitarian Universalist church, “holy union” ceremonies for same-sex couples have been conducted since the 1970s, and the Arlington branch voted to support marriage equality during its 2004 annual meeting.
Many of those in attendance expressed concern that the constitutional amendment will have broad unintended consequences.
Karen Murphy, who exchanged vows with her partner of three years, Jennifer Daniels, said she fears same-sex couples may no longer be able to pass on inheritance to their partners and may be denied hospital visitation rights.
County Board member Jay Fisette, who attends services regularly at the church and is gay, told the crowd that homosexuals in Virginia have no choice but to be active in politics so that their voices are heard.
Fisette, an ardent critic of the proposed constitutional amendment, said he was disappointed that the measure would be so far-reaching.
“Our state has often been slow to understand and slow to shed its fear,” Fisette said during the ceremony. Several of those participating in the ceremony were critical of the new governor and Democratic lawmakers for supporting what they feel is an overly restrictive law.
“This is somewhat bittersweet, especially given that the governor I just voted for said he would sign this,” Daniels said.
Did the Unitarians also vote to throw out the Bible?
Unitarian Universalist church, the church that believes in everything, but, nothing in particular!
http://www.dlois.com/public/mix.master/Homosexuals.htm
Romans 1:25-32
First, notice that there is natural and unnatural affection and that unnatural affection is dishonorable. The Bible says a male with a male should be a thing of shame. The Bible continues by saying that these people practicing unnatural love do not have God in their knowledge. I have heard the arguments that gays are just like everyone else and that they go to church and worship God and are just normal people. I have heard that and then I read 2 Timothy 3:2-7 and see another ranking of unnatural affection with all forms of evil and then the comment that they have a “form of Godliness” but deny the power of the word of God by denying the part that says they are sinning against God. Actually, the Bible says if they do these things they are actually deciding to ignore God and what he wants. So, to God, the homosexual just appears Godly but is not that way inside. The result of denying what God says is to fill them up with wickedness and as such is “worthy of death”. For added curiosity it also says that Gays will not just be happy in their practice but take pleasure in knowing about others practicing homosexuality. Do Gays want civil rights or do they just get enjoyment out of the exhibition that is involved in shouting to the world for their right to be openly Gay?
It's quite unfortunate that many religions use 'church' in their name...
A bunch of radical Unitarians left a burning question mark on my front lawn.
Unitarian church, go figure.
Tax purposes, of course, and I suppose it lends a little veneer to what they are really doing. We have one here called "The Pagoda Temple of Love". It is a lesbian commune, but, as a "religious institution" they get all the tax advantages of a legitimate church.
"I now pronounce you dyke and wife."
"“We already have three laws that disallow same-gender marriage and civil unions, and there is no reason to be writing this into the constitution, except some people want to make a political point,” Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49), who is openly gay, said in a phone interview from his Richmond office."
As if he was ignorant of the fact that the Maryland Supreme Court threw out such statutes as contrary to the Constitution.
Huh? You can leave your estate to your CAT if you want -- it's called a will, and it works wonderfully. Get one today! You can also make legal documents to allow someone else access to your medical records, allow them to make medical decisions for you, and visit you. Get them before you need them.
County Board member Jay Fisette, who attends services regularly at the church and is gay, told the crowd that homosexuals in Virginia have no choice but to be active in politics so that their voices are heard.
Wow, Jay, what a concept! That's the only way any of us is heard. Welcome to the democratic process!
“Unfortunately, this is as close as we are going to come to getting married in Virginia,” said Lovelace, an Alexandria resident who joined the church last year with Joyner, her partner of five years. “But it feels really good to have so much support from our friends, family and church.”
That's what it's really all about -- they don't want the legal protections, for most of those are available one way or another through wills, powers of attorney, etc. What they really want is acceptance of their lifestyle choice and support for their unions. If they can't get it with their PR campaigns (obligatory gay character in virtually every tv show, media coverage, etc.), then they'll get it by trying to pass hate speech legislation, mandatory diversity training (indoctrination) in schools and businesses, marriage legislation, etc.
You may be free to do something, but that doesn't mean it's not immoral, and I don't have to like it or support it. Deal with it.
I believe that occurred some time ago.
ShhhEWWWW, At first, I thought they were refering to Arlington TX.
Our neighbor is an ex "pastor" at a Unitaian church. I have no idea what she believes but I know she is into astrology.
Yeah, I don't mean to offend anyone but just what do Unitarians believe? My understanding (which may be incorrect) is that they embrace all cultures and all religions trying to find God and meaning.
If that's the case, I urge them to investigate this "jihad" stuff the Muslims are pushing. I'm not sure Islam approves of recognizing homosexuality nor other religions. The Unitarians might be the first ones the jihadists come for.
They have really good classes on family accounting.
The threw that out decades ago.
Money, everyone's favorite idol. Very clever of them to pick something everyone can get into.
The Church of "Make-It-Up-As-You-Go-Along"
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