Multnomah County Takes Strong Stand

I’ve been on the phone this morning with church and political leaders in Oregon concerning the historic Multnomah County decision to allow same-sex marriages. My friend Kate Lore, social justice director at Portland’s First Unitarian Church, reports that clergy from her congregation are on the streets performing wedding ceremonies. The Rev. Paul Davis at Portland’s First Congregational United Church of Christ tells me a celebration is being planned for Sunday at my home church (details to follow). Earlier I left messages of support for Diane Linn, Serena Cruz, and Maria Rojo de Steffey on the Multnomah County Commission. I’ve worked with all three and they should be commended for their courage. Basic Rights Oregon is planning a mass wedding later today. Paul told me that today Oregon was liberating the institution of marriage from a concept that once simply meant property rights into a concept founded simply on love. Amen. I'll also note that Charlie Hinkel, the lawyer who reviewed the county's decision, is also a United Church of Christ minister and has acted as my attorney when I worked at Portland's First United Methodist Church.