Jean Rivers and Kristen Rivers were legally married by Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones in California in 2008, before the passage of Proposition 8.
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Marriage Equality
Unitarian Universalists Stand on the Side of Love
See the latest news on Unitarian Universalist activism for marriage equality!
"Today, our Unitarian Universalist faith has long since taken the lead among all other denominations with respect to Gay rights. We have hundreds of openly Gay ordained clergy. We have solemnized thousands of Gay union services. It is right that we should once again take the lead with regard to extending the full rights and privileges of marriage to all our citizens."
—Rev. Forrest Church (from his sermon The Meanings of Marriage)
Unitarian Universalists (UUs) believe that the First Principle of our faith, respecting "the inherent worth and dignity of every person," applies equally to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. UU congregations and clergy have long recognized and celebrated same-sex marriages within our faith tradition. Since 1973, when we established the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has made an institutional commitment to full equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people.
We recognize that full equality can only be achieved when it is recognized legally in society. Working for full equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons is one of our highest legislative priorities. To learn more about marriage equality and the UUA's commitment to it, follow the links in the navigation menu on the left side of this page.
In response to the passage of Proposition 8 in California, the UUA, along with the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULM-CA), the California Council of Churches, and other religious leaders and faith organizations, filed an amicus curiae brief (PDF, 56 pages) with the California Supreme Court on January 14, 2009, asking the court to invalidate Proposition 8.
On May 26, 2009, the California Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 8 will be allowed to stand, taking away the right of same sex couples in California to legally marry. The ruling also upheld the legality of the 18, 000 same sex marriages that were solemnized in California between May and November of 2008. Unitarian Universalists will continue to work towards marriage equality for all.
We invite you to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our commitment to create a loving community where everyone is welcome. Read our Unitarian Universalist Perspectives on Affirming Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender equality and other issues at the intersection of religion and society, find a UU congregation near you, and visit UUWorld.org, our denominational periodical on the web.
No matter who you are, we welcome you!
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For more information contact la_bglt @ uua.org.
Last updated on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
