California UU Congregations are "Standing on the Side of Love"

(February, 2005) This is more than a “chocolate and roses” kind of Valentine’s weekend (February 11-13, 2005) in California. For thousands of same gender couples, some of which have been together for more than 50 years, this weekend also marks their first legal wedding anniversary. One year ago, San Francisco Mayor Newsom and his staff threw open the doors of City Hall and began to officiate at weddings and sign marriage licenses for thousands of same gender couples. That weekend was a major step forward on the road of human dignity.

Six months later, courts declared those marriages to be null and void. However, once you have tasted freedom, once you have glimpsed equality, once your family has come close to securing the rights, responsibilities, and respect that married couples have so long enjoyed, second class citizenship is simply not an option. The road of human dignity has its ups and downs, but it goes forward. We are not turning back.

In 2005 & 2006, California’s courts, legislature, and the voting public will be making big decisions about marriage equality, decisions whose impact will ripple out across the nation. Unitarian Universalists, who have been officiating at the weddings of same gender couples for over 30 years, are raising our voices to help bring an end to civil marriage discrimination. This Valentine’s Day weekend, 64 UU congregations in California are joining together to launch a “Standing on the Side of Love” campaign: singing a new hymn by the same name, and blessing all couples, including same gender couples. Congregations are also joining in sending over 1000 Valentines (symbolizing the rights and responsibilities of marriage as opposed to domestic partnerships) to Governor Schwarzenegger – asking him to support the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, and to oppose amending the California constitution to prohibit same gender marriage and abolish domestic partnerships.

In 1948, the California Supreme Court became the first state court in the country to strike down a law prohibiting interracial marriage. They held that "marriage is . . . something more than a civil contract subject to regulation by the state; it is a fundamental right of free men...legislation infringing such rights must be based upon more than prejudice and must be free from oppressive discrimination….”

It is a fundamental human right to be able to marry the person you love. Unfortunately, in far too many states, this past year has been open season on GLBT families. California has an important role to play in helping to turn the tide. While we know that love will eventually overcome fear, it will take courageous hearts and collaborative hands to speed up the pace and prevent further setbacks. Thanks to the thousands of UUs who are joining with the UU Legislative Ministry across California to stand on the side of love. Working together, we are stronger. Standing together, our values become more visible. Worshipping together, our song will open many more hearts.

Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director
UU Legislative Ministry, CA

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California is working with a coalition of civic and religious groups to support marriage equality in California and this weekend will sponsor “Standing on the Side of Love Sunday” in more than 60 UU California congregations. For more information, visit the website of UULMC . See our website for more information about the UUA’s support of equal marriage.

Unitarian Universalist Association
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