Yesterday, I reflected on
the disappointment of the passage of North Carolina's Amendment 1 on Tuesday.
Of course, there are states
and countries and the District of Columbia that now offer same-sex marriage and
more states and munincipalities that offer civil unions or domestic
partnerships. It's not enough, but it's progress and it's against that progress
that religious fundamentalists and right wing political activists are launching
their assaults.
In the Fall, more states
will consider marriage equality, and hopefully some of them will choose justice
over homophobia. We continue to work for, pray for, and demand "liberty and
justice for all."
Toward that noble goal, an
amazing thing happened yesterday: for the first time in our nation's history, a
sitting US President affirmed support for marriage equality. President Obama
said:
What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex
couples, the denial of marriage
equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their
children, they are still considered
less than full citizens...So I
decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex
couples should be allowed to
marry.
His statement wasn't an
executive order or a bill presented to Congress, but it was the power of the
"bully pulpit" in action and it was a moral victory for same-gender loving
people. His statement may or may not influence the outcome of events in state
elections, but it was nevertheless courageous and it should encourage LBGT
people and their allies to believe that positive change is still possible.
This is not an endorsement
of a political party or a political candidate, but is an expression of gratitude
that our president has made progressive movement on the issue and it is an
affirmation of hope that more leaders will make similar gestures in support of
justice and equality.
Blessings,
Rev. Durrell Watkins,
D.Min.
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