Florida UU clergy, including Rev. Manish Mishra (left) and Rev. Abhi Janamanchi (center), took a leading role in coordinating the rally.
18 interfaith clergy members participated, throwing their support behind the effort to defeat Proposition 2.
A view of the crowd assembled in Tampa for the "No on 2" rally that would write discrimination into the Florida constitution.
Interfaith Partners Work to Keep Discrimination Out of Florida Constitution
October 30, 2008
An interfaith rally against Florida's proposed Amendment 2 was held in Tampa on Sunday, October 26, organized by an interfaith coalition led by Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. All Tampa Bay Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations were involved as well as 18 Tampa Bay clergy of many faiths.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg's Rev. Manish Mishra also participated in the rally to fight the proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine discrimination in the Florida Constitution by defining marriage as between "one man and one woman," and weaken existing rights belonging to unmarried couples—both straight and gay.
Other participating churches included the King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church of St. Petersburg, the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, the Unity Church of Clearwater, Congregation Beth Shalom, Trinity United Church of Christ, and Congregation B'nai Emmunah, along with other churches in the Tampa Bay area.
Joining forces with the ministers and rabbis from these churches and temples were representatives from Fairness for All Families, Equality Florida, and Florida Red and Blue. Local and state politicians as well as business leaders who oppose Amendment 2 participated in the rally. The mayors of both Duneden and Largo, Florida spoke out against the proposed Amendment.
Worship services held on October 26 and the previous week in Florida saw a large number of congregations of all faiths hearing sermons and meditations opposing Amendment 2. At this time, polls indicate a close finish. With a 60% favorable vote required for passage, proponents are still a few points short of that goal.
Our thanks to Fred Seidl for contributing to this story.
Last updated on Thursday, October 30, 2008.
