Letter to the Editor; Statesboro Herald; Published February 13, 2013
Editor:
As we celebrate Valentine’s
Day, we celebrate romantic love.
I’m writing this letter to encourage folks in our community to be open
to a more inclusive celebration. The
Unitarian Universalist Association has a long history in support of the rights
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people dating back to the early
70’s. And in 1996, our General Assembly
passed a resolution that urged member congregations to proclaim the worth of
marriage between any two committed persons and to make this position known in
their home communities. Our little
congregation, the one on East Grady with the welcoming rainbow flag out front,
has been attempting to do just that.
Having grown up here in Statesboro, I know acceptance of
marriage for same sex-couples may be difficult for some people in this
community. Some may wonder why gay
people would want to get married. And
some may be afraid of what these kinds of changes may mean. Opponents of same sex marriage often use
these fears and spread false information.
But I also know that our
community has a good history of making progress in difficult areas. I remember the motto: “Statesboro – where nature smiles and
progress has the right of way!” So I’m
taking this Valentine week opportunity to share some facts that may help folks
make that progress. These four questions
and answers are provided by the organization Why Marriage Matters for Americans
as they consider what it means to allow same-sex couples to join in civil
marriage.
Does this change the definition of marriage? No. Allowing same-sex couples to marry does
not change the meaning of marriage. It simply allows same-sex couples to marry
the person they love, to establish and protect a family and to make a lifetime
commitment in the same way that other couples are able to.
How would gay and lesbian couples marry? All couples who marry get a civil marriage
through a license, usually obtained at a courthouse or City Hall. States could
make civil marriage available to same-sex couples. Some couples also choose to
marry in a religious setting. This would not change.
Does civil marriage
for gay couples affect churches or other religious institutions? No. It does not affect religious marriages,
religious institutions or clergy in any way. No religion would be forced to
marry same-sex couples, or recognize same-sex marriage within the context of
their religious beliefs.
Aren’t there other
alternatives to marriage for gay and lesbian couples? There have been attempts to create
marriage-like relationships, but they don’t work. For example, Domestic
Partnership and Civil Union laws still don’t qualify a spouse or children for
health care coverage that employers only extend through marriage. If a loved
one is sick and needs to take time off from work, same-sex couples are not
eligible for family leave.
Our Supreme Court has agreed to make a ruling regarding
marriage sometime in the future. I am
hopeful that this ruling will allow me to officiate at the LEGAL marriage of our
gay and lesbian members and friends.
Meanwhile, I am happy to officiate at the marriage of these loving
couples and share blessings on their union, whether it is recognized by our
state or not!
Standing on the Side of Love!
Jane Altman Page
Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro
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