Portland Clergy Help Wed Gays & Lesbians

Multnomah County’s decision to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples has Portland’s religious community divided. The same was true during the Measure 9 campaign in 2000. However, more and more clergy are supportive of same sex marriages.

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross, senior minister at Portland’s First Congregational United Church of Christ, helped perform some of those ceremonies yesterday. She told me this morning that it was a wonderful and celebratory atmosphere. The Rev. Paul Davis, who serves as the church’s associate minister, is helping to perform services today. The Rev. Susan Leo from Bridgeport United Church of Christ has also been performing ceremonies. So have The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell and The Rev. Thomas Disrud from Portland’s First Unitarian Church.

The media is reporting how angry Christians are over the Multnomah County decision. Maybe the real story of note is how many people of faith are supportive. Twenty years ago – or less – you wouldn’t have seen ministers dropping everything to rush off and perform gay weddings. We’re living in a better world.