United Church of Christ Action Alert
The House and Senate have held hearings concerning a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at banning same-sex couples from getting married. House and Senate leaders are considering whether to move ahead with floor votes on the proposed amendment. Amendments to the U.S. Constitution have historically expanded the rights of persons, not limited them.
The right to marry is a fundamental civil right. However, like other fundamental rights, such as the right to vote, it has taken decades - even centuries - to be recognized in law for all citizens. During slavery, African-American slaves were not allowed to marry so that family ties would not interfere with their worth as a "commodity." Into the middle of the 20th century, there were laws prohibiting interracial marraige based on theories of "protecting the purity of the races."
The right to marry is not only about constitutional theory, it is about access to over a thousand rights and responsibilites afforded to married couples under federal, state and local law. Making these protections and obligations available to same-sex couples will strengthen all families and strengthen society.
Though they number only in the dozens, there are good examples of legal, long-term marriages between same-sex couples that would be destroyed by this legislation. Trannsexual marrriages, as well as the de facto marriages of gay, lesbian and bisexual couples clearly demonstrate that such relationships can be postive for raising children, for functioning as an economic unit, and for strengthening society as a whole.
A package of educational resources, " God is Still Speaking, About Marriage," designed to help congregations understand and talk about this issue is available on the UCC website at www.ucc.org/justice/marriage.htm. Or you may contact Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer at 216-736-3217.
Click here to send a message to Congress.
