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Affirmation Leaders Defend Marriage Equality “I should have the right to marry a same-sex partner”
January 2006 Two leaders of the Washington DC chapter of Affirmation were among 250 religious representatives who convened in Annapolis on January 22 to oppose a proposed Maryland constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in that state. Dave Melson and Michael Madsen, leaders of the Washington DC Chapter, joined a coalition of religious leaders that includes Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics, and representatives from many other faiths. Many see the constitutional amendment as an attempt by Maryland lawmakers to interfere with the courts. On January 20, a Baltimore Circuit Court judge struck down Maryland's 33-year-old law against same-sex marriage, ruling in favor of 19 gay men and women who contended the prohibition violated the state's equal rights amendments. "Two-hundred and forty Maryland religious leaders signed a letter saying that they do not have any problem with same-sex marriage," says Affirmation DC director David Melson. "These leaders reflect the racial, geographic, and social diversity of the state of Maryland." "There's nothing that prevents any church or religion from deciding whether or not they want to marry someone. What we're saying is: it's not legal in Maryland to deny anyone civil marriage based on their sexual orientation." In the past some conservatives churches, including the LDS Church, have attempted to create a climate of hysteria by falsely claiming that if same-sex marriage is allowed, they will be forced by the government to perform same-sex weddings. "As a gay Mormon, I think I should have the right to marry a same-sex partner," says Melson. "The chastity covenant that we make in the temple is not gender-specific. I believe within 25 years same-sex couples will be able to marry in the temple." For more information about marriage equality, visit www.affirmation.org/ssu and the links section of www.affirmation.org/education.
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www.affirmation.org