Freedom to Marry, for all People

Listen to Jason Shelton’s new song, “Standing on the Side of Love,” written in tribute to Pres. William Sinkford’s prophetic leadership and witness in support of Freedom to Marry. Soloist: Jeannie Gagne. Copyright 2004 Jason Shelton, used with permission, all rights reserved.

Ad which ran in the March 10, 2004 edition of The Boston Globe in support of same sex marriage. (Click here for PDF )

Feb. 5, 2004 Bishop Thomas Shaw addresses the media at RCFM press conference

Feb. 5 2004 John Buehrens, former UUA president, speaks at RCFM press conference

Religious leaders gather in support of civil marriage for gays and lesbians

• Non-discrimination in ministerial employment, in 1980
• Support of gay and lesbian services of union, in 1984
• Supporting legal equity for gays and lesbians, in 1987
• Opposing legalization of discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, in 1992
• Support of the Right to Marry for Same-Sex Couples, in 1996.

On December 21, 1999, then-UUA President John A. Buehrens wrote to then-Vermont Governor Howard Dean, in support of the Vermont State Supreme court's unanimous decision that Vermont must guarantee the same protection and benefits to gay and lesbian couples that it does for heterosexual couples. In March, 2000, Unitarian Universalist ministers and lay people were active in giving testimony and providing support for an action taken by the Vermont legislature in April, which established Vermont's landmark Civil Union Bill.

On April 11, 2001, seven gay and lesbian couples (including seven Unitarian Universalists) brought suit in Suffolk, Massachusetts Superior Court , asserting that the couples had all been denied marriage licenses and seeking to gain the legal recognition "that same-sex couples -- whose relationships are as loving and as committed as those of heterosexual couples -- have an equal right to civil marriage."

Nearly two years later, on March 4, 2003, the case was heard in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court . While a decision in this case is pending, interfaith support of freedom to marry for same-sex couples continues to grow, as demonstrated at a June 5, 2003 press conference held by the Religious Coalition for Freedom to Marry and hosted at UUA headquarters.

Meanwhile, efforts by Unitarian Universalists to support equal rights for all persons continue. As support to grant legal standing to same sex couples gains momentum, the voices of several individual members of the UU clergy have been heard on this issue, and the list of UU clergy supporting same-sex marriage (and who refuse to sign marriage licenses until such rights are granted to all) continues to grow. The Rev. Fred Small (Littleton, MA), the Rev. F. Jay Deacon (Northampton, MA), and the Rev. Kathleen McTigue (Hamden, CT) have spearheaded action in their communities along with other members of the clergy, and media coverage of their positions is included here.

UUA President William G. Sinkford, speaking after a decision on the U.S. Supreme Court case, Lawrence et al v. Texas was handed down, said, "Laws aimed at discriminating against bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are affronts to all people, no matter their sexual or gender orientation. These laws have been used to separate and divide us from one another; their intent is to support discrimination and make some people in our country second-class citizens. Unitarian Universalists across our country will continue [our] efforts, grounded in faith, which call us to support everyone’s full humanity, everyone’s ability to love, and everyone’s value in the world."

On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriages. The UUA's president and staff cheered as couples applied for marriage licenses all over the state and hosted the wedding of Julie and Hillary Goodridge at UUA Headquarters. Three days later, after the waiting period imposed on most couples by Massachusetts law, fifty same-sex couples were married in historic Arlington Street Church in Boston.

Freedom to Marry 2006: UUs Focus on Legislative Advocacy While Affirming Marriage Equality

Freedom to Marry Media Coverage:

• Coverage of UU Ministers' Actions and Ministers' Statements in the Media
• Previous coverage from the UUA
• Additional Media Coverage
• Ministers Issuing Licenses to Same Sex Couples
• Freedom to Marry Graphics for use on UU-related web sites

Unitarian Universalist Clergy Who Will Not Sign Marriage Licenses Until Same Sex Couples Are Allowed to Marry

Freedom To Marry Coalition's Massachusett's Survey on Civil Marriage (Oct. 2003)

Survey Questions
Key Findings

State by State Coverage and information on Freedom to Marry Coalitions in U.S. states:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

For more information:

• For information on UUA services in support of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender persons, visit our website.
• For media information, or to schedule interviews, please contact the UUA Office of Information and Public Witness.
• Massachusetts Interfaith Clergy Pledge for the Freedom to Marry Frequently Asked Questions
• Freedom to Marry is headed by Evan Wolfson, one of America's leading lesbian/gay rights advocates and lawyers.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100