Statement of the Rev. William G. Sinkford
President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Press Conference in Support of Civil Marriage for Gay and Lesbian Couples
June 5, 2003
There are two important messages I would like to convey today.
First, the citizens of Massachusetts and our state legislators need to know that there are many religious people, from many religious traditions in our state who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. Unitarian Universalists have long been among them. We know from our own experience the many blessings that gay and lesbian people bring to our communities and congregations. We know from our lived experience in religious community that differences of faith, of race and of sexual orientation need not divide us, that diversity within the human family can be a blessing and not a curse. Unitarian Universalists affirm that it is the presence of love and commitment that we value. For Unitarian Universalists, it is homophobia that is the sin, not homosexuality.
We support these same-sex couples and their families, especially the children they are raising with loving care. Unitarian Universalsist ministers have performed religious ceremonies of union for gay and lesbian couples for more than 20 years, and in 1996 the Unitarian Universalist Association passed a resolution calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage. So in this public conversation, Unitarian Universalists offer their religious voice and experience in support of the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples and in opposition to any constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
My second point concerns religious liberty and the separation of church and state. I speak to you today from the Channing Pulpit which formerly stood in the old Federal Street Church in downtown Boston. It was at this podium that the leaders of the Commonwealth debated the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. The first amendment of that Constitution ensures for Americans that they can profess any religion they choose, or no religion at all. And it guarantees that the government will not privilege one religion over another. In our society, here in Massachusetts and in the rest of this great nation, religious pluralism is a reality. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Ba'hais, Buddhists, Taoists, agnostics, and atheists are all citizens of the Commonwealth. The task of our government and elected representatives is not to enshrine the religious point of view of any one faith in our laws; the role of our government is to dedicate itself to protecting the rights of all citizens. It is important to understand the distinction between civil marriage and religious marriage. Allowing gay and lesbian couples to unite in civil marriage will in no way affect the religious practices of any faith community.
The American experience demonstrates an increasing understanding of the rights of our people. From the abolition of slavery through the extension of voting rights to women and the civil rights victories of the recent past, America holds out a vision to us all of the beloved community. Generation after generation of Americans have been willing to move us closer to the day that that beloved community will be a reality. Now is not the time to move backwards on civil rights for all citizens. The challenge of this generation is to move forward to the creation of a more open-hearted and affirming society. It is for this reason as well that the Unitarian Universalists of Massachusetts oppose any constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage in the Commonwealth. I assure you that we will continue our support for the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.
I also want you to know that I will be sending this messages in a letter to all Unitarian Universalist congregations in Massachusetts with the request that it be read at Sunday services.
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