Where to get a Religious Blessing Gay-welcoming denominations in the United States © September 16, 2007, Demian Although same-sex marriage has at times been commonplace in other parts of the world, church weddings for gay and lesbian couples are a recent phenomenon in America. No national church acted sooner to encourage same-sex unions than the Metropolitan Community Church, which was founded to primarily serve the gay community. MCC’s founder, Rev. Troy Perry, conducted what was probably this nation’s first church ceremony for same-sex partners on December 3, 1968, in Los Angeles. Since then, a growing number of mainstream churches and synagogues have begun performing ceremonies of same-sex marriage, union or covenants. Unitarian Universalists led the way on June 26, 1984, when their general assembly approved union services for same-sex couples. In 1996, the Reconstructionist Jewish Rabbinical Association endorsed same-sex marriage. In addition, marriage or blessing rites are increasingly available within individual congregations. If you want to be married in a church or synagogue, consult the minister or rabbi where you worship, or call local congregations with a record of acceptance. In most cases, you’ll be asked to undergo counseling sessions intended to prepare couples for the marriage commitment. If you encounter resistance, you may want to share with your congregation the statements from the church groups listed below. While marriage ceremonies are powerful social and familial events, they do not in any way give any of the more than 150-350 rights and responsibilities of legal marriage offered by each state — nor of the more than a thousand rights built into federal laws that are triggered by legal marriage. A Quick List of U.S. Religious Denominations that have Endorsed or Held Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples Individual congregations may vary. American Apostolic Catholic Church American Catholic Church International American Baptist American Ethical Union Anglican - Canadian diocese Bretheren/Mennonite Buddhist California Council of Churches Catholic Apostolic Church in North America (CACINA) Covenant of the Goddess (Wiccan) Episcopal Church Evangelican Anglican Church in America Evangelical Lutheran     (The Greater Milwaukee Synod became the first ELCA     synod to endorse blessing same-sex unions in 2000) First Nation Church     (Removed the ban on gay and lesbian unions, April 2007)     [See their statement in our article: Quotes: Legal Marriage] Hawaii Council of Churches Humanist Society     (was Humanist Society of Friends) Reconciling Congregations (United Methodist) Reconstructionist Jewish Reformed Catholic Church (USA) Reform Judaism     (Central Conference of American Rabbis affirms     the legalization of same-sex marriage) Methodist Metropolitan Community Church Orthodox Catholic Church Presbyterian Church (affirms the legalization of same-sex marriage) Quaker (Society of Friends) Secular Humanistic Judaism Unitarian Universalist Church United Church of Christ     (As of April 2000, 321 of its 6,100 congregations     have declared they welcome gay men and lesbians) Unity Fellowship Churches Universal Life Church Religious Organizations Actively Supporting Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples American Catholic Church International (ACCI) The ACCI affirms traditional Catholic beliefs of faith and love, spirituality, community, and prayer. It celebrates the Seven Sacraments, and adheres to the essentials of Catholic doctrine and practice as expressed and implied in the statements of Vatican Council II, and in the light of the best contemporary Catholic thought. The ACCI proclaims the unconditional love and compassion of God, which embraces every human person regardless of their state or condition in life, including issues as divorce and re-marriage, birth control, sexual orientation, and complex medical issues. The ACCI is affirming and welcoming of all God’s children. Affirmation The United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns has created the Covenant Relationships Network (CORNET). Cornet seeks to continue the tradition of hosting worship services that celebrate and witness to same-sex “covenant relationships” in United Methodist churches. They maintain lists of clergy and laity committed to the ministry of covenant services, and are campaigning to change the United Methodist Church’s official position on homosexuality. Cornet Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204 847-733-9590 (voice-mail) umcornet@hotmail.com www.umaffirm.org/cornet Dignity This Catholic-based group supports same-sex relationships and marriages through social and spiritually focused activities at the local level, offering Guidelines for Holy Union services, and maintains a National Registry of Couples whose relationships have been blessed by Dignity clergy. Dignity / USA National Office 1500 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., #11, Washington, D.C. 20005 800-877-8797; 202-861-0017; fax 202-429-9808 dignity@aol.com www.dignityusa.org Couples’ Ministry Resource Guide Unitarian Universalists This group has maintained an Office for Lesbian & Gay Concerns at its headquarters in Boston since 1976. It remains one of the most affirming religious bodies in North America today in its outreach and celebration of gay and lesbian people. Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108 617-742-2100 obgltc@uua.org www.uua.org/obgltc United Church of Christ On July 4, 2005, the United Church of Christ became the first mainline Christian denomination to endorse same-sex marriage Monday when its 25th biennial General Synod decisively approved an “equal marriage rights for all” resolution. The Rev. John H. Thomas, the president of the UCC, had announced, on June 28, that he supported the resolution. Religious Support for Ceremonial Marriage Where to get a Religious Blessing — Gay-welcoming denominations in the U.S. Vows: Marriage Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples Individual U.S. Congregations Offering Ceremonies for Same-Sex Couples Celebration and Affirmation of a Covenant Relationship       Episcopal Diocese of Rochester’s Department of Social Ministries Media Resources: Ceremonial Marriage Religious Support for the Legal Right to Marry A Personal Proclamation by Unitarian Universalist Rev. Rhett D. Baird       His refusal to issue state marriage licenses for a year Statement on Same Gender Marriage       Interfaith perspective, Hawai’i Council of Churches Resolution of Immediate Witness — Unitarian Universalist Quaker Support for Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage United Church Urges Ottawa to Recognize Same-Sex Partnerships Resolution in Support of Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Couples       Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Statement on Same Sex Marriage — Alliance of Baptists Faith-Based Support for Legal Marriage       Religious Coalition for Equality No Ceremonies for Straights: U.S. Ministers Refuse to Officiate Legal Marriages Marriage: Legal Versus Ceremonial Rights Media Resources: Legal Marriage All contents © 2007, Demian The Sweet Corn Shop    Products that affirm self-esteem and social equality.    A smart variety of Bumper Stickers and Buttons    for political impact, plus Mugs and Teddy Bears.    Purchases help support Partners’ efforts.