LGBT Equality
|
|
Members of Hope Church marched in the LGBT Equality March on October 11, 2009. We believe in full equality for all.
Marriage Equality
Hope Church does not distinguish between a Marriage or a Holy Union. Religious marriage ceremonies are held for same-sex and different-sex couples. Hope Church believes in full marriage equality and has lobbied with other UCC churches in Richmond, founded the People of Faith for Equality in Virginia, and undertaken other outreach activities to the LGBT community. Read more about wedding information.
Recent events in the struggle for marriage equality:
Clergy United for Marriage Equality -
Rev. Sid Fowler is one among nearly 200 clergy in DC who are working for marriage equality (http://www.clergyformarriage.com) .This group of D.C. religious leaders of many faiths, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations have worked together over many years for peace and justice and now join together to speak a faithful word for freedom and equality.
They have signed a Declaration of Religious Support for Marriage Equality
We declare that our faith calls us to affirm marriage equality for loving same-sex couples.
Our religious traditions and scriptures teach us that wherever love is present, God is also present. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is our human capacity to love one another. The ability of two people to enter into relationships and form families of love and care is one expression of this gift. It is holy and good. We therefore affirm the right of loving same-gender couples to enter into such relationships on an equal basis with loving heterosexual couples.
We recognize that there are principled differences on this issue within the religious community. We affirm that the state should not require any religious group to officiate at, or bless, same-gender marriages. However, the state also should not favor the convictions of one religious group over another by denying individuals their fundamental civil right to marry whom they love.
Recognizing that there is heartfelt disagreement on this issue, we call on all people of the District of Columbia to engage in a respectful and loving dialogue on marriage equality. As religious leaders, we commit ourselves to such a dialogue and encourage our colleagues on all sides of this issue to do the same.
God is love and love is for everyone. In this spirit we raise our voices in the struggle for the right and freedom to marry.
The D.C. United Clergy sponsored an interfaith service: Soulful Voices for Marriage Equality: A Faith Celebration on Thursday, October 29 at Asbury United Methodist Church in DC. Kathy and Teri Doxsee, Sid Fowler and Jeff Catts, and friends of Hope Cindy, Jann and Paula attended this packed, inspirational worship service.
God vs. Gay? Media coverage:
Dennis W. Wiley and Robert M. Hardies wrote an article God vs. Gay? Black vs. White? Marriage Equality’s False Divides, in the Washington Post, Sunday, October 18, 2009.
LGBT Equality March
Members of Hope Church marched in the LGBT Equality March on October 11, 2009.
LGBT Outreach at Hope
Hope Church reaches out to the LGBT community during D.C. Pride each June, marching in the Pride Parade, having a booth at the Pride Festival, and hosting Interfaith Celebrations. Look for us at Pride this year June 13-14, 2009!
Hope with other UCC churches at Pride Festival