May 26. This morning, the California State Supreme Court announced its deeply disappointing decision to uphold Proposition 8. While More Light Presbyterians is pleased that the court recognized the legal marriages of the 18,000 same-sex couples married in 2008, we are profoundly disappointed by its decision to uphold the anti-LGBT, discriminatory Proposition 8 that was narrowly passed by a ballot initiative.
It is incredulous that the legal, equal and civil rights were not protected by either the Court or the electorate in a state within a country that is committed to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all of its citizens. As people of faith and Christians committed to justice, equality and ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in both Church and society, while we lament the failure of the state court to maintain marriage equality in California, we are absolutely committed to continue our work for justice. Through PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project, we will continue to work for marriage equality in civil society as we work for marriage equality within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Marriage is an equal right, not a heterosexual privilege. We are grateful that a growing number of Christians and citizens are recognizing that love is not restricted by gender and that God's gift of love is bestowed upon same gender loving couples in addition to opposite gender couples. Everyone has the right to be part of a family.
with hope and grace,
Michael
Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., Executive Director & Field Organizer
Presbyterian Equality Project
More Light Presbyterians
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