Andrew Sullivan disturbed by Catholic Church re gays in DC

Who Passed Prop 8? Here's the List.

From the Washington Post, regarding the clergy in D.C:

But after being overshadowed by same-sex marriage opponents, religious leaders who back the concept are speaking out.

"The coalition here is able to identify across all lines, all wards of the city, all races, all backgrounds," said Nick McCoy, an organizer for the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group. "People have come to the forefront with the argument that this something that churches don't back and believe in, and we say, that is not true."

The Rev. Louis Shockley of Asbury noted at the church service that the sanctuary was founded 173 years ago as a congregation for slaves.

"This congregation has always stood for social justice," he said. "We welcome all on this night to continue the march of justice by standing on the side of love."

At Monday's council hearing on Catania's bill, the religious officials backing same-sex marriage outnumbered those opposing it.

One supporter, the Rev. Christine Y. Wiley, pastor at Covenant Baptist Church in Southeast, noted that many District churches have a history of fighting for social and economic justice.

Wiley and her husband, the Rev. Dennis W. Wiley, helped form the coalition. "It just really seemed like a natural thing that we would do," Wiley said. "We believe as African Americans who have been discriminated against . . . we don't have the right to discriminate against anyone else."

About 10 people attended the group's first meeting in June. It now has a list of 169 supporters, including the Rev. Steve Huber of Washington National Cathedral and Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb of Adat Shalom in Bethesda.

The Rev. Patrick J. Walker, chairman of the Task Force Against Same Sex Marriage of the Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of D.C. and Vicinity, said he understands that religious leaders have varying views of marriage. But he said he doesn't "understand it from what the Bible says in terms of traditional, biblical views. Where do you draw the line?"

Despite the activism on both sides, many area pastors are staying out of the debate.

"There is whole range of churches out there who aren't with us, but they are not with Harry Jackson either," Hardies said. "We are hoping to reach them through dialogue."

Bishop Harry Jackson, mentioned above, is the pastor of Hope Christian Church. He has joined others in attempting to obtain a referendum banning same-sex marriage in D.C.

Thanks Karen and Rhonda for all the pertinent info and links,  excellent additions.   Thanks Roy for your comments as well. 

You are very welcome, smk! As always, my pleasure!:)

"Narcissism is the prime motivator here"    Why am I not surprised?  *beats head against wall,  sobbing silently*

Of course Farrakhan and Malcom X would be opposed to gay marriage.  I was sobbing because I saw "narcissism"  pop up again.  ;)  Just enjoy teasing you, and tweaking your mustache,   and watching you become mean---:)

Yes,  African American men are traditionally against homosexuality, all of it,  not just gay marriage.  Obama does not support gay marriage.  It has been said that he had homosexual trysts.  A lot of people ( most people) have discounted it as nonsense,  but I would say that would fit in with his disparaging of gays, and his own self-conflict and psychological self-misunderstanding. 

Just a guess, but the "gay" agenda will likely be seen as the defining defeat of the liberal left in America. Liberal ideology will see a long slide down the hill after that.

"If you already have civil unions, then what is this mania for gay marriage about? You don't think it is equal enough? Make it equal enough."

Repealing DOMA, Roy, will "Make it equal enough".

The crux of the issue (DOMA) denies married, civil unionized, and domestic partnership same-sex couples over 1,000 federal legal rights. 

And in addition: enact ENDA and end DADT.

When communities treat gays as equals, we will be one step closer to freedom, justice, and liberty for all.

Any people or institution standing in the way are blocking progress for all humanity. Churches of all kinds have a bad track record in that regard, IMO.

YJ

Last i was aware, homosexuals had exactly the same rights as everyone else.

Did someone change a law, and make it legal to discriminate against them?

That is because they aren't married. They are "partners".

Kova, are you a gay rights activist? What I mean is that everday you have a couple of new stories on gay rights and marriage and I was just curious. Of course I have no problem if you are or are not but I was just wondering.

No,  I am not an activist.  But I have a history with gay males,  as my husband and I stayed in Provincetown each summer,  and there they were!  I post to calm myself down, and I have a media feed, and up they come!  Didn't we go thru this before? ;)

To calm yourself down:)? I would never have guessed that, smk:)

I hope you are being sarcastic,  Rhonda?  Tee hee----:) I am a manic,  manic,  hyper person.  I cannot call myself an activist,  but I sure am active. ;)  And I have feeds that deliver stories to me,  like a never-ending revolving door.....