UUA Receives Award from Religious Coalition for Freedom to Marry

Anne Fowler and William Sinkford

Senator Marian Walsh

(Boston - Feb. 10, 2005) On the eve of Freedom to Marry week, the Religious Coalition for Freedom to Marry honored the Unitarian Universalist Association with its Peace and Justice Award for "outstanding leadership in helping gay and lesbian couples attain and preserve their civil right to marry." The award, presented by Rabbi Devon lerner, Co-chair of the RCFM, was accepted by the Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association in a luncheon and ceremony at the Massachusetts State House.

Also honored were:

• Episcopal Bishop Thomas Shaw who received the Rabbi Bernard Mehlman "Building Bridges Award" for outstanding leadership in helping build bridges with people of faith who are still in dialgoue about same sex marriage
• State Senator Marian Walsh and State Rep. Marie St. Fleur, who received the Byron Rushing Freedom of Religion Award "for their outstanding leadership in upholding the religious freedom of every citizen in the Commonwealth by supporting marriage equality as a civil right," and
• Rabbi Daniel Judson who received the RCFM Signer's Award "for his outstanding individual achievement as an RCFM member in helping gay and lesbian couples attain and preserve their civil right to marry."

The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry is a seven-year-old organization with 600 clergy and congregations as members. More than 4,000 same-sex couples have wed in Massachusetts since such marriages became legal in May.

For further information:

• "Freedom to Marry, for all People"
• UU involvement in Freedom to Marry actions in Massachusetts

Media coverage:

• 2/11/05 - The Boston Globe: Walsh, St. Fleur back gay marriage: State lawmakers firm in faith, belief by Michael Paulson
• 2/10/05 - Bay Windows: Religious Coalition of Freedom to Marry honors pols, by Ethan Jacobs

Unitarian Universalist Association
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