Religious Case for Marriage Equality

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T H E

R E L I G I O U S

C A S E

F O R

MARRIAGE EQUALITY EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW

The Religious Case for

MARRIAGE EQUALITY What Is Marriage Equality? Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing civil marriage equality is called the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The Act would guarantee that all civil marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the married couples and their children. Same-sex parties to a marriage and their children will be treated under Illinois law as if federal law recognized marriages of same-sex couples in the same way that it recognizes marriages of opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act respects the guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, allowing free exercise of religion and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference.

Why Is Marriage Important? Gay and lesbian individuals want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Governments use the institution of marriage to recognize and protect family units. There are 1,138 federal rights that are inherent in marriage and denied to same-sex couples who cannot wed. In addition, the state of Illinois affords 648 protections to married couples and their families. Some of these rights include: UÊÊ Ã« Ì> ÊÛ Ã Ì>Ì ÊÀ } Ìà UÊÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Ê«ÕÌÊÌ iÊi Ì ÀiÊv> Þ]Ê V Õ` }Ê>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ> `Ê ÃÉ iÀÊV `Ài ]Ê Ê iÊ i` V> Ê> `É ÀÊ viÊ ÃÕÀ> ViÊ« > UÊÊ ÕÌ >Ì VÊ iÀ Ì> Vi]ÊiÛi ÊÜ Ì ÕÌÊ>ÊÜ UÊÊ*À Û i}iÊvÀ ÊÌiÃÌ vÞ }Ê>}> ÃÌÊ>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ ÊV ÕÀÌ UÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Ê > iÊ i` V> Ê`iV à ÃÊv ÀÊ>Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÊ Ê> Êi iÀ}i VÞ UÊÊ, } ÌÊÌ Ê ÌÊ«>Ài Ì }]Ê>` «Ì ]Êv ÃÌiÀÊV>Ài]Ê> `ÊÛ Ã Ì>Ì Ê vÊV `Ài UÊÊ, } ÌÊÌ ÊÌ> iÊÕ «> `Ê i>ÛiÊvÀ ÊÜ À ÊÌ ÊV>ÀiÊv ÀÊ>Êà V Ê«>ÀÌ iÀ UÊÊ L ÌÞÊÌ Êw iÊ ÌÊÌ>ÝÊÀiÌÕÀ ÃÊ> `ÊÕÃiÊÌ>ÝÊLi iwÌÃÊv ÀÊ >ÀÀ i`ÊV Õ« iÃ

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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SEEKING the TRUTH Debunking Common Myths

Myth: If the marriage equality bill is legalized, religious institutions will be forced to marry gay and lesbian couples and recognize those unions. False. The marriage equality bill would legalizes only civil marriage for same-sex couples. The ability for any religious institution to recognize or perform any marriage remains unchanged. Some clergy refuse to marry interfaith couples while other clergy refuse to marry a couple if one member has been divorced. No religious institution will ever be forced to marry same-sex couples or recognize same-sex couples within its belief system. Because the United States Constitution guarantees these religious freedoms, no court decision or legislative mandate can change these fundamental tenets. Myth: Illinois already has civil unions, and that law provides the same rights as marriage. False. A civil union is not equal to a marriages. The institution of marriage has a long legal and cultural history, so employers, businesses, and other societal actors know how to treat married couples. This is not the case for civil union couples. Equality Illinois has documented numerous instances where private institutions, such as businesses, have not recognized civil unions as equal to marriage for the purpose of «À Û ` }ÊLi iwÌÃ°Ê iV>ÕÃiÊ vÊÌ iÊV vÕÃ Ê ÛiÀÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÌÕÃÊ> `ÊÀ } ÌÃÊ vÊV Û ÊÕ ÊV Õ« iÃ]ÊÌ iÞÊ>ÀiÊ constantly unsure of how they will be treated by different people around the state. The bottom line is that the separation of civil unions and marriage into two separate institutions implies that the love and commitment same-sex couples share is less valid than that of opposite-sex couples who have the option to marry. Myth: >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊV > }iÃÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}i° False.Ê Ü }ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊÌ Ê}iÌÊ >ÀÀ i`Ê` iÃÊ ÌÊV > }iÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}i°Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ will remain an institution entered into by two people who love each other and seek to make a lifetime commitment to each other and protect their families.

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Myth: Marriage is meant for couples that can have children, and same-sex couples cannot do this. False. For some couples, marriage is about parenting, and for some it is not. Many couples, oppositesex and same-sex, do not intend to ever have children, or meet and marry later in life but still seek to make a lifetime commitment through marriage. On the other hand, one in four same-sex couples are raising children. The reasons couples would like to be married are as varied for same-sex couples as they are for opposite-sex couples. For some the reasons may include children, and for others they may not. Myth: Marriages between gays and lesbians have a negative effect on children. False. Excluding same-sex couples from marriage harms children by denying them and their families the rights, protection, and sense of legitimacy that come with legal marriage. Studies consistently show that children of gay and lesbian couples are equally as well adjusted as those of opposite-sex couples. In fact, > Ê > ÀÊV `ÊÜi v>ÀiÊiÝ«iÀÌÃ]Ê V Õ` }ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê V>`i ÞÊ vÊ*i` >ÌÀ VÃ]ÊÌ iÊ >Ì > Ê Ãà V >Ì Ê vÊ- V > Ê7 À iÀÃ]ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê*ÃÞV >ÌÀ VÊ Ãà V >Ì ]Ê> `ÊÌ iÊ iÀ V> Ê*ÃÞV } V> Ê Ãà V >Ì ]Ê ÃÕ«« ÀÌÊ Ì iÊ vÀii` Ê vÊ Ã> i ÃiÝÊ V Õ« iÃÊ Ì Ê >ÀÀÞÊ LiV>ÕÃiÊ > Ê v> iÃÊ Li iwÌÊ vÀ Ê Ì iÊ «À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ and security that marriage brings. Millions of children are currently being raised by same-sex couples, > `ÊÌ iÊ ÞÊÜ>ÞÊÌ Êi ÃÕÀiÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÃiÊV `Ài Ê >ÛiÊÌ iÊÃ> iÊÀ } ÌÃ]ÊLi iwÌÃ]Ê> `Ê«À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ>ÃÊÌ i ÀÊ neighbors and classmates is to allow their parents to marry. Myth: The legalization of marriage equality will force children to learn about same-sex couples in school. False. The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act does not compel any changes to school programs. Despite the same fear tactics used in every state with marriage equality, no state that has legalized marriage equality has had same-sex marriage formalized into the public school educational curriculum. Myth: Marriage is a historical institution that has remained unchanged. False. Marriage has evolved throughout history to meet the needs of our society. At various points in the past it was common to have arranged marriages, women were thought of as inferior to their husbands, Ì iÊÜ > ½ÃÊv> ÞÊ >`ÊÌ Ê«>ÞÊ>Ê` ÜÀÞ]Ê> `ÊwÀÃÌÊV Õà ÃÊ vÌi Ê} ÌÊ >ÀÀ i`°Ê- iÊ L V> Ê iÀ iÃÊ >`Ê Õ Ì « iÊÜ ÛiÃÆÊ Ì iÀÃÊ >`ÊV `Ài ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ i ÀÊ`>Õ} ÌiÀðÊ1 Ì Ê£ ÈÇ]ÊÃÌ>ÌiÃÊ`iw i`Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ>ÃÊ>ÊÕ Ê limited to people of the same race. During the decades when the majority of Americans supported bans on interracial marriage, proponents of the ban called marriage between a man and woman of different À>ViÃÊºÕ >ÌÕÀ> ]Ê> Ì Ài } ÕÃ]»Ê> `ÊV > i`ÊÌ >ÌÊ ÕÀÊà V iÌÞÊÜ Õ `ÊLiʺiÀ `i`»Ê vÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ marriage was altered. Today, these arguments against interracial marriage seem dated and bigoted, but the same language is being used to attack equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. Ending race discrimination and gender discrimination in marriage did not change the concept of marriage as the building block of stable relationships and strong families, and neither would allowing gay people to marry. This change would merely allow couples already committed to each other to take on the legal responsibilities of civil marriage.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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PURSUING JUSTICE Ten Reasons Religious Leaders Support Marriage Equality

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Supporting civil marriage equality shows that you respect and value the inherent

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Marriage is not just a religious institution; it also carries significant civil and

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The stability, security, and rights that a civil marriage brings are beneficial for all

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Places of worship will always have the freedom to decide whether to perform

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worth and dignity of all people, a consistent value in all religious traditions.

legal values.

families and children.

or recognize any marriage, just as they already do. The most fundamental human need is the supportive love of other human beings. The loss of gay and lesbian believers in religious communities has been tragic. Diversity of families enriches religious lives and communities. Full equality for LGBT people is good for families, marriage, and healthy decision making. Scriptural interpretation used to validate racism and sexism has been discarded, and we should just as eagerly discard scriptural interpretation that marginalizes others.

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Discrimination is wrong, no matter who the victim is.

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

LIGHT UNTO THE NATION National Religious Leaders Supporting Marriage Equality BAPTIST

UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ iÂ?“>Â˜ĂŠ Âœ>ĂŒiĂƒ UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â“ÂœĂ€i UĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒiĂŠ ˆVŽ“>˜ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,ÂœLÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•Â˜Â˜] Executive Director of the Association of

7iÂ?Vœ“ˆ˜}ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ vwĂ€Â“ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ >ÂŤĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŒĂƒĂŠ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒiĂ›iĂŠ*>Ă€iÂ?Â?ˆ] Executive Director of Other Sheep,

Evangelical

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*>ĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ >˜VÞÊ*iĂŒĂŒĂž UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ iÂ˜Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŠ7ˆÂ?iĂž]ĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ

CATHOLIC

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ-ÂˆĂ€°ĂŠ i>˜˜ˆ˜iĂŠ Ă€>“ˆVÂŽ] co-founder of New Ways

Ministries, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ ÂœĂƒiÂŤÂ…ĂŠ*>Â?>VÂˆÂœĂƒ] Catholics for Equality, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ Ă•}iÂ˜ĂŒ] co-founder of New Ways Ministries, Roman

CHRISTIAN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆVĂŠ*°ĂŠ ii]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ-ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…iĂ€Â˜ĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆ>Â˜ĂŠ

Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >ÀÀÞÊ ÀՓwiÂ?`] founding member of Maryland

Black Family Alliance

COLLEGIATE

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >VÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠExecutive Director of The Middle

*Ă€ÂœÂ?iVĂŒ

CONGREGATIONAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă•}i˜iĂŠ/°ĂŠ ĂžĂƒâÂ?iĂœĂƒÂŽÂˆ, chair of Rhode Island

Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ Ă•Ă€}] Beth Am Synagogue

EPISCOPAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,ĂŒ°ĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€i}ĂŠ,ˆVÂŽiÂ? UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ >Â˜ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Ă•Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŠ,Ă•ĂƒĂƒiÂ?Â?]ĂŠ ĂŠ ˆœViĂƒ>Â˜ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“Ê Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂŠ

on LGBT Ministries UĂŠĂŠĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆiĂƒĂŒĂŠ ˜}iÂ?>ĂŠ-Â…iÂŤÂ…iĂ€`

MUSLIM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ LĂ€>Â…ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ L`Ă•Â?‡ >ĂŒÂˆÂ˜] scholar and author UĂŠĂŠĂŠ->ÂľÂˆLĂŠ Â?ˆ] community advocate and former State

iÂ?i}>ĂŒiĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >ÀÞÂ?>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠÂœvĂŠ iÂ?i}>ĂŒiĂƒ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ->>`ˆ>ĂŠ Â…>˜]ĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂ“iĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂœĂ€`ˆ˜>ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ

*Ă•LÂ?ˆVĂŠ vv>ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ Ă•}Â?i]ĂŠĂƒVÂ…ÂœÂ?>ÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ>Ă•ĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ€ĂŠ

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ iÂ?Âœ`ÞÊ Âœiââˆ] scholar and author UĂŠĂŠĂŠ Â˜ÂˆĂŠ<œ˜˜iĂ›iÂ?`] co-founder and president of

Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ6>Â?Ă•iĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠVœ‡V…ˆivĂŠi`ÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ *Ă€Âœ}Ă€iĂƒĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ `iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠqĂŠ*iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ-ĂŒÂœĂ€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ the U.S. and Canada

NONDENOMINATIONAL

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒ>Ă€Â?i˜iĂŠ ÂœĂžÂ˜iÀÊ Ă•Ă€Â˜Ăƒ] wedding minister

PRESBYTERIAN

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ->“ÕiÂ?ĂŠ Â…Ă•] Executive Director of California Faith

for Equality

REFORM JUDAISM

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ iÂ˜ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ }iĂ€] founding president of the

Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Interfaith Clergy Association,

œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ?ĂŠ “ˆ UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,>LLÂˆĂŠ->Ă€>Â…ĂŠ iĂžĂŒÂˆÂ˜] The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,Ăž>Â˜ĂŠ iÂ?Â?] Seventh-Day Adventist pastor and

board member of the Interreligious Council of Southern California

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ,iLiVV>ĂŠ6ÂœiÂ?ÂŽiÂ?] program director for the National

Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ i˜˜iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ->“ÕiÂ?]ĂŠvÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂœĂ€ĂžĂŠ"Ă•ĂŒĂ€i>VÂ…ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ

ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â“ÂŤÂœĂœiÀ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ­6" ÂŽ

UNITED METHODIST

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ-ĂŒiÂŤÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠ ˜`iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜

UNITY CHURCH

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂœĂŒÂ…ĂžĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒ

OTHER AFFILIATIONS

UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠ/Ă€>VÂˆĂŠ °ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒ] Drew University Theological School UĂŠĂŠĂŠ,iĂ›°ĂŠ ĂžĂ€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â“Ăƒ] Resurrection Community Church

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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Illinois Religious Leaders Supporting Marriage Equality BAPTIST

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jacki Belile, Living Well Ministries, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Larry Greenfield, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Susan Johnson,ĂŠ Ăž`iĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ1Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…]ĂŠ American and United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. David Weasley, The Night Ministry, Grace Baptist Church, American 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Ann Louise Haak, American UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Douglas Sharp, Lake Street Church, American

CATHOLIC

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠSr. Mary Kay Flanigan, OSF, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠDcn. Bill Mages, St. Mary of the Woods, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠBr. Brian McLauchlin,ĂŠ-6 ]ĂŠ,œ“>˜ UĂŠĂŠĂŠThe Staff at 8th Day Center for Justice, Roman UĂŠĂŠĂŠThe Very Rev. Fr. Donn Meilke, St. Thomas Mission, Orthodox UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dcn. Benjamin Roe, St. Thomas Mission, Orthodox

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN -*,

UĂŠĂŠĂŠPastor Kreston Lipscomb, First Church of the Brethren

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Lizzi Heydemann,ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“]ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂŽ>Â˜ĂŠ …ˆV>}Âœ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Michael Siegel, Anshe Emet Synagogue UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Zachary Silver, Anshe Emet Synagogue 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Amitai Adler, ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜} GLENCOE UĂŠĂŠĂŠCantor David Landau,ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ Living ",/

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Debra Newman Kamin, Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation UĂŠĂŠĂŠCantor Stuart Simon, Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation , 6 ,ĂŠ ", -/ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Robin Damsky, 7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ-Ă•LĂ•Ă€L>Â˜ĂŠ/i“Â?iĂŠ >ÀÊ<ˆœ˜

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

* UĂŠĂŠĂŠJ ĂŠ en Tayabji, Illinois Disciples Foundation NORMAL UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Bob Ryder, New Covenant Community Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Susan Ryder, New Covenant Community Church -*,

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dawn Victor, Christian Church

EPISCOPAL

, /" ĂŠ /UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. M.E. Eccles, St. Simon’s Episcopal Church BARRINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Patrick Raymond, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 6 , UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Joyce Beaulieu, Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ " ,"" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Heidi Haverkamp, Church of St. Benedict

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jerome Adams,ĂŠ ĂƒĂƒÂœVˆ>ĂŒiĂŠ*Ă€Âœ`Ă•ViĂ€]ĂŠ Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Ted Curtis, Grace Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Tyrone Fowlkes, Director of Spiritual Formation, UCAN UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jacqueline Lynn, St. James Cathedral UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Bonnie Anne Perry, All Saint’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Robert Petite, St. Anna’s Chapel, ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ}œ“iÀÞÊ*Â?>Vi UĂŠĂŠĂŠLay Chaplain John Sattelmaier, All Saint’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Stan Sloan, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago,

…ˆV>}ÂœĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ăƒi UĂŠĂŠĂŠThe Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, St. John’s Episcopal Church

, " ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Aimee Delevett, Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÞÊ >ĂŒÂˆĂ›ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ 1,-/ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Steve Martz, Church of Our Saviour Episcopal 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Joan Barr Smith, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Debra Bullock, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Charles de Kay, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠThe Very Rev. Dr. Jeannette DeFriest, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Roger Ferlo, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Susan Harlow, Seabury-Western Theological -i“ˆ˜>ÀÞ]ĂŠ*iÂœÂŤÂ?i½ĂƒĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ …ˆV>}Âœ GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. George Smith, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church GURNEE UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jane Schaefer, Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church

Ê* , UÊÊÊRev. Andrea Mysen, Trinity Episcopal Church ",/ ,"" UÊÊÊRev. Lee Gaede, St. Giles Episcopal Church * , Ê, UÊÊÊRev. Sarah D. Odderstol ," ",

UÊÊÊRev. Pamela Hillenbrand, Emmanuel Episcopal Church WAUCONDA UÊÊÊRev. Martha Gillette,Ê ÕÀV Ê vÊÌ iÊ ÞÊ « ÃÌ ià 7 1 UÊÊÊRev. Eileen Shanley-Roberts, Christ Episcopal Church 7"" -/" UÊÊÊRev. Patricia Conley, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church

" Ê* , UÊÊÊPastor Kathy Nolte, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA * , Ê, UÊÊÊRev. Dan Schwick, Lutheran Advocacy of Illinois, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, ELCA ," ",

UÊÊÊRev. Kenneth Storck, À >Ê i Ê ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê Ê ," Ê - Ê UÊÊÊPastor Stacie Fiedlar, St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA ," "6 UÊÊÊRev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, ELCA

LUTHERAN

" UÊÊÊPastor Megan Ramer, Chicago Community Mennonite Church 6 -/" UÊÊÊPastor Mitchell C. Brown, Evanston Mennonite Church

, /" Ê /UÊÊÊRev. Dan Hoeger, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, ELCA " ,"" UÊÊÊPastor Paul Carlson, New Life Lutheran Church, ELCA

* UÊÊÊDr. Esther Portnoy, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, ELCA

" UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Kim L. Beckmann, ELCA UÊÊÊPastor Liala Beukema,Ê > iÊ6 iÜÊ ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Erik C. Christensen, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square, ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Michael Fick, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Fred Kinsey, Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊBishop Wayne Miller, ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod UÊÊÊPastor Craig Mueller,Ê ÞÊ/À ÌÞÊ ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê UÊÊÊRev. John Roberts, Unity Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊPastor Julie Ryan, Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Seminarian Kyle Severson, ÞÊ/À ÌÞÊ ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê Ê UÊÊÊPastor Michelle Sevig, ÞÊ/À ÌÞÊ ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê

,9-/ Ê UÊÊÊRev. Carrie Smith, Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Robert Smith, Bethany Lutheran Church, ELCA ELGIN UÊÊÊPastor Keith Fry, Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, ELCA 6 -/" UÊÊÊPastor Lloyd Kittlaus, University Lutheran Church, ELCA UÊÊÊRev. Betty Landis, -Ì°Ê*>Õ ½ÃÊ ÕÌ iÀ> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê GLEN ELLYN UÊÊÊPastor Jim Honig, Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA LINCOLNWOOD UÊÊÊRev. Patrick McGuire, St. John’s Lutheran Church ,96 UÊÊÊRev. William Veith, Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, ELCA ",/

UÊÊÊRev. Dennis Kelly, Lutheran Church of the Ascension, ELCA

MENNONITE

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

,""

UÊÊÊRev. Danny Spears, ÞÊ Ûi > ÌÊ iÌÀ « Ì> Ê Õ ÌÞÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Peter Trabaris, ÞÊ Ûi > ÌÊ iÌÀ « Ì> Ê Õ ÌÞÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Karon Van Gelder, ÞÊ Ûi > ÌÊ iÌÀ « Ì> Ê Õ ÌÞÊ ÕÀV Ê

" UÊÊÊRev. Rachelle Brown, A Church for Me UÊÊÊRev. Gordon R. McCoy, Cluster Lead -*,

UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Tony Thieman, i>ÀÌ > `Ê iÌÀ « Ì> Ê Õ ÌÞÊ ÕÀV

MULTI-DENOMINATIONAL

" UÊÊÊRev. John C. Modschiedler, Þ`iÊ*>À Ê> `Ê i Ü `Ê ÌiÀv> Ì Ê Õ V ]Ê1 ÛiÀÃ ÌÞÊ ÕÀV 6 -/" UÊÊÊRev. Marcia Heeter, Lake Street Church

PRESBYTERIAN

" UÊÊÊRev. Jocelyn Cadwallader, > iÊ6 iÜÊ*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Michael Kirby, `Ê- i« iÀ`Ê*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Nanette Sawyer, Grace Commons UÊÊÊRev. Joyce Shin,Ê ÕÀÌ Ê*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Christine Vogel,Ê ÕÀÌ Ê*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV

,9-/ Ê UÊÊÊRev. John Dillon,Ê ÀÞÃÌ> Ê > iÊ*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > , `}iwi ` 6 UÊÊÊRev. Bart Roush, ÝÊ6> iÞÊ*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV Ê Ê 7 / UÊÊÊRev. David Lower,Ê7 iÌ >Ê*ÀiÃLÞÌiÀ > Ê ÕÀV THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

|9

RECONSTRUCTIONIST JUDAISM

"ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell, Center for Jewish Mindfulness * ,6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Marc Rudolph, Congregation Beth Shalom

REFORM JUDAISM

1 "ĂŠ ,"6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠCantor Cheryl Wunch, Congregation Beth Am

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Batsheva Appel, ° ° °ĂŠ Ăƒ>ˆ>Â…ĂŠ ĂƒĂ€>iÂ?ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Shoshanah Conover, Temple Sholom UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Larry Edwards, Congregation Or Chadash UĂŠĂŠĂŠCantor Aviva Katzman, Temple Sholom UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Dr. Peter S. Knobel, Temple Sholom UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Michael Zedek, Emanuel Congregation 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Andrea London, Beth Emet: The Free Synagogue GLENCOE UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Bruce Elder,ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ >ÂŽ>v>ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Wendi Geffen, North Shore Congregation Israel ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠĂŠCantor Michael Davis, Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism Children’s Center UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Anne Persin, Congregation B’nai Torah " 7""

UÊÊÊRabbi Ellen Dreyfus, B’nai Yehuda Beth Sholom " Ê ,"6 UÊÊÊRabbi Alison Abrams, Temple Chai UÊÊÊRabbi Stephen Hart, Temple Chai UÊÊÊCantor Scott Simon, Temple Chai ",/ ,"" UÊÊÊRabbi Sidney Helbraun, Temple Beth El UÊÊÊRabbi Toby Manewith, Temple Beth El ",/

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Paul Cohen, Temple Jeremiah " ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Max Weiss, ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ/i“Â?iĂŠ ½Â˜>ÂˆĂŠ LĂ€>Â…>“Ê<ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ - " UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Amy Memis-Foler, Temple Judea Mizpah WILMETTE UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Samuel Gordon, Congregation Sukkat Shalom

RELIGIOUS SCIENCE

CARY UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Anne Muelleman,ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂ•>Â?ĂŠ Ă›ÂœÂ?Ă•ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ă‰ĂŠ V iÂ˜Ă€ĂžĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂžĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ,iÂ?ˆ}ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ-Vˆi˜Vi " ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Mary Beth Speer, ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ,iÂ?ˆ}ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ-Vˆi˜Vi

RENEWAL JUDAISM

DEERFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠRabbi Jodi Kornfeld, iĂŒÂ…ĂŠ Â…>Ă›iĂ€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ Փ>Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆVĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ

10 |

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

BLOOMINGTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jackie Clement, Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Ruth Gnagey, Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal CARBONDALE UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. William Sasso, Retired, Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Lee Barker,ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠEĂŠ*Ă€ÂœviĂƒĂƒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Rudra Dundzila, Second Unitarian Church of Chicago UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Neil Gerdes, Meadville Lombard Theological School, St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠDr. Michael Hogue, Meadville Lombard Theological School UĂŠĂŠRev. Adam Robersmith, Second Unitarian Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. John W. Tolley, Meadville Lombard Theological School ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Daniel Brosier, Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin ,9 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Sean P. Dennison, Unitarian Universalist Congregation " ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠRev. Emily Gage, Unity Temple UU Congregation * / UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Hilary J Krivchenia, Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist * ", UĂŠĂŠRev. Michael Brown, Unitarian Universalist Church ," ",

UĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Matthew Johnson-Doyle, The Unitarian Universalist Church -/" /" UĂŠĂŠRev. Erik David Carlson, Unitarian Universalist Church of Stockton

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ALGONQUIN UÊÊÊRev. Donald Schmidt, First Congregational Church of Algonquin , /" Ê /UÊÊÊRev. Jeffrey L Phillips, St. John’s United Church of Christ UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Rex E Piercy, | Congregational United Church of Christ AURORA UÊÊÊRev. Gary McCann, New England Congregational Church ,, /" Ê UÊÊRev. Mark Agnini BERWYN UÊÊÊRev. Kelly Brouwer, United Church of Christ

" UĂŠĂŠRev. Carol Shanks, Bethel United Church of Christ

CANTON UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Sue Harrington, First Congregational United Church of Christ CARBONDALE UĂŠĂŠRev. Sonja Ingebritsen, Church of the Good Shepherd

,* / ,-6 UĂŠĂŠRev. James Benzing, First Congregational United Church of Christ

* UĂŠĂŠRev. Christie Callahan UĂŠĂŠRev. Laurie Hill,ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*iĂŒiĂ€½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠRev. Leah Robberts-Mosser, Community United Church of Christ

" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. David K Antieau, St. Nicolai United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Barbara Bolsen, Night Ministry, Epiphany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. William Bordonaro, Bethany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jeffrey Carlson,ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Clint Collins, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jason Coulter, Ravenswood United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠDr. W. Scott Haldeman, Chicago Theological Seminary UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Alice Hunt, Chicago Theological Seminary, Trinity United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Kevin McLemore, Epiphany United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jorge Morales, Illinois Conference UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Vertie Powers, 1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂœÂœÂœ` UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Kevin Tindell, New Dimensions UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Oscar Varnadoe III, Trinity United Church of Christ

,9-/ ĂŠ UĂŠĂŠRev. Mary Cramer, First Congregational Church UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. David Inglis, First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Lynda Vackar, First Congregational Church DEERFIELD UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Roger Dart,ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iiĂ€wiÂ?` UĂŠĂŠĂŠR ĂŠ ev. Susan Chamberlin-Smith, /Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ iiĂ€wiÂ?`

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Joseph Gastiger, First Congregational Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Judy Harris, First Congregational United Church of Christ

"7 ,-ĂŠ ,"6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Kirk Moore, -ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Scott Oberle, First Congregational Church of Christ ELGIN UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Paige Wolfanger, -ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ

1,-/ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jeanne Murawski, -ĂŒĂŠ*iĂŒiĂ€½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Gordon Smith, Bethel United Church of Christ 6 -/" UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Wayne MacPherson UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Ann Rosewall, First Congregational Church of Evanston 6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Rebecca Clancy, First Congregational Church of Geneva UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. C. Erwin, First Congregational Church of Geneva UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Carolyn Fabian, First Congregational Church of Geneva GLEN ELLYN UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Seth Ethan Carey, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jerry Bennett,ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“Ê ÂœÂœĂ€`ˆ˜>ĂŒÂœĂ€]ĂŠ Illinois South Conference, Illinois Conference United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Sheldon Culver,ĂŠ-ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Carol Currier-Frighetto, -ĂŒ°ĂŠ*>Ă•Â?ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ - UĂŠĂŠĂŠReverend Dr. Thom Parrott-Sheffer, 1Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ`>Â?i ĂŠ ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Robert von Trebra, Lyonsville Congregational United Church of Christ -" 6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Jan C. Johnson, Congregational United Church of Christ Jacksonville UĂŠĂŠĂŠElder Dawn Sanchez, -ĂŒ°ĂŠ œ…˜½ĂƒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠ >˜Ž>ÂŽii LOMBARD UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Robert Hatfield, First Church of Lombard * ,6 UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Timoth Sylvia,ĂŠ ÂœÂŤiĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Mark Winters, First Congregational Church " ĂŠ 7 UĂŠĂŠĂŠPastor Peggy McClanahan, *ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ >ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ " ĂŠ* , UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Leah Fowler,ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dean Hokel,ĂŠ*ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Julie Harley,ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Rob Leveridge,ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ">ÂŽĂŠ*>ÀŽ UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Sally VerSchave Iberg, *ˆÂ?}Ă€ÂˆÂ“ĂŠ œ˜}Ă€i}>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ OTTAWA UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Winn Alley, Ottawa United Church of Christ ," ",

UĂŠĂŠĂŠRev. Dr. Fred Krauss, Second Congregational United Church of Christ UĂŠĂŠĂŠPastor Michael Simmons, Retired, Spring Creek United Church of Christ THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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* ", UÊÊÊRev. Kate Feeney-Bastian UÊÊÊRev. Carole Hoke, Fondulac Congregational Church of Christ ," ",

UÊÊÊRev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg, Second Congregational United Church of Christ - " UÊÊÊPastor Jan Smith,Ê-Ì°Ê*iÌiÀÊ1 Ìi`Ê ÕÀV Ê vÊ À ÃÌ -*,

UÊÊÊRev. Dan Dexter, First Congregational United Church of Christ UÊÊÊRev. James Hibbett, First Congregation United Church of Christ 7 -/Ê "Ê UÊÊÊRev. Denise Griebler, St. Michael’s United Church of Christ WEST DUNDEE UÊÊÊRev. Aaron James, First Congregational United Church of Christ

UNITED METHODIST

/ " UÊÊÊRev. Martha Schmidt, United Methodist Church , /" Ê /UÊÊÊRev. Bonnie Beckonchrist, ÀÃÌÊ1 Ìi`Ê iÌ ` ÃÌÊ ÕÀV Ê vÊ À }Ì Ê i } ÌÃ UÊÊÊRev. Betty Jo (B.J.) Birkhahn Rommelfanger, Church of the Incarnation AUBURN UÊÊÊRev. Brian Caughlan, United Methodist Church BARRINGTON UÊÊÊRev. Robert Wulff, Salem United Methodist Church ,/" 6 UÊÊÊRev. Linda A Richard, Bartonville Methodist Church BENTON UÊÊÊRev. Shane Smith, First United Methodist Church

/ UÊÊÊRev. Sara Isbell, Chatham United Methodist Church

" UÊÊÊRev. Christian Coon,Ê1ÀL> Ê6 >}iÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Gregory Gross, Berry United Methodist UÊÊÊRev. Trey Hall, 1ÀL> Ê6 >}iÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊPastor Brittany Isaac,Ê1ÀL> Ê6 >}iÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Lois McCullen-Parr, Broadway Methodist Church UÊÊÊR Ê ev. April McGlothin-Eller, 1 Ìi`Ê ÕÀV Ê vÊ, }iÀÃÊ*>À UÊÊÊRev. Amos Oladipo, Epworth Methodist Church UÊÊÊRev. Troy Plummer, Retired, Reconciling Ministries UÊÊÊRev. Preston Price, 1ÀL> Ê6 >}iÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊRev. Wendy Ann Witt, First Methodist Church Chicago Temple 6 -/" UÊÊÊRev. Richard Mosley Jr,Ê i i Ü>ÞÊ iÌ ` ÃÌÊ ÕÀV UÊÊÊR Ê ev. Julie Windsor Mitchell, University Christian Ministry at Northwestern University GLEN ELLYN UÊÊÊRev. Elizabeth Bowes, Glen Ellyn First United Methodist Church

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

ITASCA UÊÊÊRev. Sherrie Lowly, Bethany United Methodist Church LAGRANGE UÊÊÊRev. Addison Shields Jr., First United Methodist Church MACON UÊÊÊRev. Janet Eggleston, United Methodist Church " / UÊÊÊRev. Jeremiah Thompson, Mahomet United Methodist 1,* 9- "," UÊÊÊRev. Sue Bailey, United Methodist Church of Murphysboro * ,6 UÊÊÊRev. Donald Niswonger, Grace United Methodist Church UÊÊÊRev. Lisa Telomen, Grace United Methodist Church " Ê* , UÊÊÊPastor Stephanie Escher, UMC Cornerstone UÊÊÊRev. Marti Scott, Euclid Avenue Methodist Church *" /

UÊÊÊRev. Scott Carnes, * Ì >VÊ ÀÃÌÊ1 Ìi`Ê iÌ ` ÃÌÊ ÕÀV , 6 ,- UÊÊÊRev. Douglas Asbury, Riverside United Methodist Church -*,

UÊÊÊRev. Julia Melgreen, Douglas Avenue UMC -1 ,Ê ,"6 UÊÊÊPastor Victoria Hadaway, Sugar Grove Methodist Church TUSCOLA UÊÊÊRev. Seth Schutte, Tuscola United Methodist church URBANA UÊÊÊRev. Daniel King Crede, Wesley United Methodist Church

UNITY CHURCH

/ 6 UÊÊÊRev. Jan Little,Ê1 ÌÞÊ vÊ ÝÊ6> iÞÊ QUINCY UÊÊÊRev. Ron Fritts, Unity Spiritual Life Center ," ",

UÊÊÊDonna Addison, Board of Directors, Christ Church Unity of Rockford

OTHER AFFILIATIONS

"Ê UÊÊÊRev. Dr. Nick Angotti UÊÊÊRev. Celeste Frazier, * ÜiÀÊ vÊ" i iÃÃÊ-« À ÌÕ> Ê i ÌiÀ UÊÊÊRev. Mark Anthony Lord, Bodhi Spiritual Center UÊÊÊRev. Joette Waters, 7i`` }Ê ÃÌiÀÉÊ ` Ê-« À ÌÕ> Ê i ÌiÀ " Ê ,"" UÊÊÊRev. William Christiansen, M.Div.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

‘‘

Marriage equality is politically right and morally right; it fundamentally strengthens our Catholic values by supporting all our families.” - Sister Jeannine Gramick, Roman Catholic nun and co-founder of New Ways Ministries

‘‘

Marriage, not civil union, gave me that sense of equality and belonging. Civil union with all the ‘rights of marriage,’ yet without the name of ‘marriage,’ is not freedom but a concession, is not liberty but toleration; and, therefore, ‘civil union’ is but another name for oppression.” Ê,iÛ°Ê-Ìi« i Ê,°Ê*>Ài ]Ê Û> }i V> Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ«>ÃÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ"Ì iÀÊ- ii«

‘‘

I see the issue of marriage equality as an important indication of human rights and social tolerance. I favor marriage equality because those who want to marry deserve the chance to do so, whether they have opposite-gender partners or same-gender partners.” Ê-V ÌÌÊ Õ} i]Ê ÕÃ ÊÃV >ÀÊ> `Ê>ÕÌ À

‘‘

The decision for or against marriage equality lay in the Constitution, not the Bible. I am not suggesting you ignore your Bibles; I am inviting you to revisit (not revise, revisit) the Scriptures used to investigate homosexuality and faith. Sexual orientation speaks of an i Ì > ]ÊÀi >Ì > ]Ê> `ÊÃiÝÕ> ÊvÕ w i ÌÊ> `ÊV v ÀÌ°Ê-ii }ÊÌ iÊ/À ÌÞÊ Ê}>ÞÊ«i « iÊ made me question what I believed and why I believed it.” Ê >Ì ÞÊ > ` V ]Ê ÃÌiÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ > Þ Ü> iÀÊ iVÌ Ã

‘‘

Our role is to do all we can to allow love to flourish.” - Rev. Sam Offer, Unity Fellowship minister

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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‘‘

[Marriage for same-sex couples] doesn’t affect my marriage; it doesn’t affect anybody else’s marriage. It doesn’t harm us in any way.” Civil marriage is “a state issue separate from whatever religious folks might think of marriage.”

‘‘

Ê->µ LÊ ]Ê ÕÃ ÊV Õ ÌÞÊ>`Û V>ÌiÊ> `Êv À iÀÊ-Ì>ÌiÊ i i}>ÌiÊ ÊÌ iÊ >ÀÞ > `Ê ÕÃiÊ vÊ i i}>ÌiÃ

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people deserve the same freedoms and responsibilities when it comes to sacred covenants that straight people do. Love is love.” Ê,iÛ°Ê, L Ê Õ ]Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ«>ÃÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊv ÀÊÌ iÊ ÃÃ V >Ì Ê vÊ7i V }Ê> `Ê vwÀ }Ê >«Ì ÃÌÃ

‘‘

Marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is, in the end, about honoring the love and commitment shared between two people and supporting their families. That is why the majority of Catholics support marriage equality laws. Even though the Catholic hierarchy, who we respect, may not support marriage equality, we know our faith teaches that where there is love, there is God. And where there is love, there is the basis for a more healthy and more just society.” - Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry

‘‘

As a Muslim, it is my moral obligation to speak out and stand up whenever I see an injustice being carried out. If we, as Muslims, expect our rights to be respected around the world, then we too must respect the rights of other minority groups.”

‘‘

Ê i `ÞÊ iââ ]Ê À> > iÀ V> Ê>ÕÌ ÀÊ> `Ê ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ ÀiVÌ ÀÊ vÊ£ääÊ*i « iÊ vÊ > Ì

[Marriage equality] provides equal rights for same-gender couples, while at the same time preserving religious freedom and protecting the autonomy of religious institutions and their clergy.”

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- Rev. Delman Coates, Baptist senior pastor and organizer of the Enough is Enough Campaign

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

‘‘

As preachers, we have to echo a message of inclusivity of all people in the family of God. Love, mutual respect, and care are hallmarks of family. So all that the church can do to support, bless, and sanction family, we should.” Ê,iÛ°Ê i iÌ Ê-> Õi ]Ê1

Ê ÃÌiÀÊ> `Êv Õ `iÀÊ vÊ6 VÌ ÀÞÊ"ÕÌÀi>V Ê Ê Õ ÌÞÊ « ÜiÀ i ÌÊ­6" ®

‘‘

As a Baptist minister, I don’t have the right to impose my views on anyone else. If committed gay and lesbian couples want to marry, that is their business, none of us should stand in their way.”

‘‘

- Rev. Al Sharpton, Baptist minister, founder of National Action Network and MSNBC commentator

My ordination vows require me to minister to all people in my congregation. This is about pastoral care, about welcoming all people, but especially the marginalized and the oppressed, like Jesus did.” - Rev. Sara Lamar-Sterling, United Methodist pastor and board member of Methodists in New Directions

‘‘

I believe that a gay couple who has chosen to make a life together and build a home and family together should be given the same rights under the law as other couples who act similarly. It seems to me that it is immoral for the state to decide which marriage is worthy. Gay people should be entitled to the same rights that a straight couple is, and matters of religion and morality are not matters for the state.” - Rabbi Francine Roston, Congregation Beth El (Conservative Judaism)

‘‘

I’m looking forward to the day when gay marriage is sanctioned by the state and I can sign a legal document stating the couple was married without having to schlep all the way to Massachusetts.” - Rabbi Joel Abraham, Temple Sholom (Reform Judaism)

THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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“WHY IS GAY MARRIAGE AN ISSUE OF FAITH?�

,>LLÂˆĂŠ ˆââÂˆĂŠ iĂž`i“>˜˜]ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂŽ>Â˜ĂŠ …ˆV>}ÂœĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒâĂŠ >ĂžÂˆÂ“ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ˆvi ¾Õ>Â?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ Â?Â?ÂˆÂ˜ÂœÂˆĂƒĂŠ*Ă€>ĂžiÀÊ Ă€i>ÂŽv>ĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ >ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“ä£Ă“

I ASKEDʓÞÊVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Â…>LL>ĂŒĂŠĂœÂ…>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂľĂ•iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜°ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂŤÂœÂ˜Ăƒi\ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠĂœÂ…ĂžĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ}>Þʓ>Ă€Ă€Âˆ>}iĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ issue of faith, but why is faith concerned with marriage at all? Because surely whatever our reasons for being interested in marriage—how we regard and treat people who have committed their lives to each other, how we construe the responsibilities of people have who commit their lives to the other, what status we give people who have committed their lives to the other— whatever our reasons are for being interested in these questions regarding heteronormative relationships should govern our thinking about gay marriage as well. ˜`ii`]ĂŠ ĂŠ>vwÀ“i`]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/ÂœĂ€>…Ê“>ÂŽiĂƒĂŠĂ›iÀÞÊVÂ?i>ÀÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂƒiĂŒ\ĂŠ vĂŒiÀÊVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ?>˜`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒi>]ĂŠĂŒĂ€iiĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂŤÂ?>Â˜ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠĂƒĂ•Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ Ăƒi>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?>˜`ĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒ]ĂŠĂœiĂŠÂ?i>Ă€Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂƒiĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ}œœ`p/"6°ĂŠ ˜`ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVĂ€i>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠV>Â?Â?i`ĂŠ `>“p “>`iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iĂ€ĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆÂ“>}i]ĂŠ>vĂŒiÀÊ ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ?ˆŽi˜iĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠLÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂ“>Â?iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvi“>Â?iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ˜>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iÂ‡ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂ›iÀÞÊ}œœ`] /"6ĂŠ " °ĂŠ9iĂŒ]ĂŠ>“ˆ`ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ }œœ`˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€iĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂ€i>Â?ˆâi`ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠ>VĂŒĂ•>Â?Â?ĂžĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂ˜i}>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/ÂœĂ€>Â… "ĂŠ/"6ĂŠ 9"/ĂŠ ĂŠ ½6 "]pÂş ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ `>Â“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠ>Â?œ˜iÊ­ iÂ˜ĂŠĂ“\ÂŁnŽ° Yes, to the degree that the Torah is concerned with the human being; the Torah is obsessed with the human being in community. It is not good for us to be alone. That right there should be reason enough to say, We are concerned that human beings Â…>Ă›iĂŠ >VViĂƒĂƒĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ w˜`ˆ˜}ĂŠ iâiÀÊ ÂŽ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ Â…iÂ?ÂŤiÀÊ ĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ ĂƒÂˆÂ“Ă•Â?ĂŒ>˜iÂœĂ•ĂƒÂ?ÞÊ >ˆ`ĂƒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ ÂœÂŤÂŤÂœĂƒiĂƒĂŠ Ă•ĂƒpĂŒÂ…iĂŠ œ˜iĂŠ ĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ ÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂƒĂŠ `iiÂŤ]ĂŠ transformative, soul-connecting love, love born of mutual support and stability—imagery of two boards that in connecting opposing each other, help the other stand. The kind of love that sustains us and helps us grow, that creates loving, twoparent homes in which to raise children—whether or not those children are our biological offspring, whether those partners happen to be the same gender. That is one of the most profound lessons of Torah and of a Bible-based faith: We thrive with VÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂ†ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠw˜`ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠiâiÀʎ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvÂœĂ€iÂ“ÂœĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLÂ?iĂƒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒÂ…Âˆ° And then someone raised his hand. “What about the verse that says, ‘A man shall not lie with a man as he lies with a woman’?â€? ­ iÛÊ£n\Ă“Ă“ÂŽĂŠ/Â…iĂ€iĂŠ>Ă€iʓ>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂœ>ĂžĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂŤÂœÂ˜`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠVÂ…>Â?Â?i˜}i°ĂŠ ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒÂ…>Ă€iĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>VÂ…ĂŠ ĂŠw˜`ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVĂ•Â?>Ă€Â?ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ>Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ our age—an age of fundamentalists and literalists and claimers of Torah-true Judaism and gospel-truth Christians, people who ÂŤĂ€ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ?i}iĂŠViĂ€ĂŒ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ?>ĂœĂƒĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠ iĂ›ÂˆĂŒÂˆVĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂŁn\Ă“Ă“ĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠ i˜iĂƒÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ“\ÂŁn° The dean of my rabbinical school, Rabbi Brad Shavit Artson, describes the vocation of the master artist. The master artist, whether in painting or music, has mastered the basics of the craft—mastered all the scales and arpeggios, learned how to draw a killer still life. But the master artist must do more than master the basics and regurgitate them the way they’ve always been ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiÀÀiĂŒi`°ĂŠ “>}ˆ˜iĂŠÂˆvĂŠ iœ˜>Ă€`ÂœĂŠ >6ˆ˜Vˆ]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ iiĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ›i˜]ĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤi``Â?iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒ>“iĂŠĂœ>Ă€iĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜Â…iĂ€ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆV>Â?Â?Ăž]ĂŠ musically. No, the master artist takes the craft she has inherited and looks at it afresh in the light of the world she sees around her. What norms need to be challenged? What sacred golden calves of status quo must be smashed? The analogy is clear: we, the clergy in our respective faiths, have inherited a craft that includes preaching, pastoring, advocating, teaching, listening, utilizing the books, the verses, the words that we have inherited. No less than a master artist must choose one brush stroke or note over another to create a masterpiece, we must do the same with the traditions we have inherited. We must decide whether we preach and interpret with a hermeneutic of love and inclusion, or rest on the status quo that includes excluding certain people from rights and privileges held by others. We must decide whether we focus our attention on Genesis or Leviticus, which verses are timeless overarching principles of human life, and which must be reinterpreted for a new age. "ĂŠ/"6ĂŠ 9"/ĂŠ ĂŠ ½6 "]ĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iʅՓ>Â˜ĂŠLiˆ˜}]ʓ>Â?iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠvi“>Â?i]ĂŠ}>ĂžĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€>ˆ}Â…ĂŒ]ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠ>Â?œ˜i°ĂŠĂŠ ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠ for us to be alone. Any one of God’s children. This is a foundational principle, a guide and a lens through which to read every other verse in the Torah regarding human relationships. As humble masters of our tradition, it is our imperative to privilege ĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>VÂ…ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂŤĂ€iĂƒĂ•Â“iĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂƒĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠwĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Â˜ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠ else. The fact is that after God makes this declaration, God gives Adam, the human being, the ability to go through the animal Žˆ˜}`ÂœÂ“ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ€i>Â?ˆâiĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠwĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ…iÂ?ÂŤiĂ€]ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠiâiÀʎ½Â˜i}`Âœ]ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiĂ?ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂƒiĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠÂœÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ăƒ°ĂŠ Âœ`ĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠVÂ…>˜}iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ status quo for a new era. So must we.

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

“COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AS ADVOCATES AND VOICES FOR LGBT EQUALITY” ,iÛiÀi `Ê->À> Ê"``iÀÃÌ ]Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊ « ÃV «> Ê ÕÀV ]Ê*>À Ê, `}i]Ê µÕ> ÌÞÊ ÃÊ*À>ÞiÀÊ Ài> v>ÃÌ]Ê >ÞÊn]ÊÓä£Ó

YOU KNOW, you all know, it does not take much for one human being to decide that another human being is “other.” On the other hand…a great deal must be overcome for a person to decide that the person, that is someway different from them, is as deserving of God’s blessing as they are. In my experience as a clergy person, relationships are the only thing that can bridge the differences of “otherness.” Relationships change hearts and minds. Several years before I came to St. Mary’s, the parish called a partnered lesbian to serve >ÃÊ> Ê>Ãà ÃÌ }ÊV iÀ}ÞÊ«iÀà °Ê Ì Õ} Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊ >`ÊLii Ê> ʺ"«i Ê> `Ê vwÀ }Ê*>À à »Êv ÀÊ`iV>`iÃ]Ê Ì > ÞÊÌ iÀiÊÜ>ÃÊ some resistance to Aimee’s call and a few families left the congregation. But Aimee was so truly called to ministry and she was so gifted at her craft that she quickly charmed the socks off the place. She and her spouse Alison were involved in everything together. They modeled Christian service and Christian marriage. The congregation could not help but compare Aimee and Alison to the senior clergy member and his spouse who never seemed to be around because she was a clergy person who served another congregation. Aimee and Alison had such an impact on the community that when the congregation was preparing to call a new clergy leader—me—the same octogenarians that had resisted Aimee’s coming told those in charge of hiring a new clergy leader that they wanted their new priest to have a “normal marriage” like Aimee and Alison. Relationships change hearts and minds! I am convinced that God wants communities of faith to be in the business of building Ài >Ì Ã «ÃÊÌ >ÌÊLÀ `}iʺ Ì iÀ iÃð»Ê ÃÊ ÕV Ê>ÃÊà iÊ vÊÕÃÊÜ Ê ÛiÊ Ê« >ViÃÊ iÊ*>À Ê, `}iÊÜ Õ `Ê ÛiÊÌ Ê >ÛiÊÌ }ÃÊLiÊ ` vviÀi Ì]ÊÜiÊ>ÀiÊ ÌÊÌ iÊwÀÃÌÊ« >ViÊÌ iÊ /ÊV Õ ÌÞÊ ÃÊ} }ÊÌ ÊÌ Ê vÊÜ i Ê }ÊÌ ÊiÝ« ÀiÊ `½ÃÊV> ÊÌ Ê ÕÀ iÞÊ Ê faith. That doesn’t mean we don’t have an important role to play in advocating for LGBT equality! /Ü Ê> `Ê>Ê > vÊ`iV>`iÃÊ>} ]ÊÜ i Ê-Ì°Ê >ÀÞ½ÃÊwÀÃÌÊ«À V > i`Ê ÌÃi vÊ>Ê« >ViÊ vÊÜi V i]Ê ½ Ê«ÀiÌÌÞÊÃÕÀiÊÌ iÊV }Ài}>Ì Ê >`Ê no idea where that designation of hospitality would take them. Since then we have become a haven for families, friends, supporters and those questioning. We are a safe place to engage in big questions. We are a resource to congregations around us testing the waters of full inclusion. Faith communities should be a place where people can come to know and love those who they consider to be other. Faith communities should be a place where people can experience a same-sex marriage that looks more “normal” than a hetero-marriage. Faith communities should be a place where all people know themselves to be worthy of God’s blessing. o ½`Ê iÊÌ Ê vviÀÊÞ ÕÊ>Ê«À>ÞiÀÊÕÃi`Ê iÀiÊ ÊÌ iÊ « ÃV «> Ê ViÃiÊ vÊ V>} Ê`ÕÀ }Ê/ iÊ7 Ì iÃà }Ê> `Ê iÃà }Ê vÊ>Ê ÞÊ Union: Most gracious God, you have put into the hearts of your people a yearning for union with you and one another. You V> ÊÕÃÊ Ì ÊV Ûi > ÌÊ> `Êi ` ÜÊÕÃÊÜ Ì Ê i>ÀÌÊ> `ÊÜ ÊÌ >ÌÊÜiÊ >ÞÊ ÀÊ> `Ê ii«Ê ÕÀÊV Ì i ÌðÊ* ÕÀÊ ÕÌÊÞ ÕÀÊL iÃà }Ê upon this couple, that they my honor one another in all times and in all places. Bless them in their loving faithfulness; touch others through them, that many may know more fully the grace of your love. Deepen their joy, sanctify their celebration; guide > `ÊV à iÊÌ i Ê Ê` vwVÕ ÌÊÌ iÃÆÊiÛiÀÊÃÕÃÌ> Ê ÊÌ i Ê> Ê>Ü>Ài iÃÃÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊ Û }ÊV>ÀiÆÊ> `Êw > ÞÊLÀ }ÊÌ i ÊÌ Ê ÜÊÞ ÕÊ face to face… This prayer and others like it are a step in the right direction, but they do not mark the end of the journey. Communities of faith need to continue to advocate for full marriage equality for all of God’s people. We all need to love and to be loved and to know God blesses us in doing so. This is the work of faith communities.

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COMING OUT IN FAVOR OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL

TELL YOUR BRETHREN who are part of your ministerial coalition to “live their faith and not legislate their faith,” for the Constitution is designed to protect the rights of all. We must learn to be more than a one-issue community and seek the Li Ûi`ÊV Õ ÌÞÊÜ iÀiÊÜiÊ >ÞÊ ÌÊ> Ê>}Àii]ÊLÕÌÊÜiÊ> ÊÀiV } âiÊÌ iÊw }iÀ«À ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ Û iÊÕ« Ê> Ê vÊ Õ > ÌÞ° There is no doubt people who are same-gender-loving occupy prominent places in the body of Christ. For the clergy to hide from true dialogue with quick dismissive claims devised from poor biblical scholarship is as sinful as unthoughtful acceptance of a theological position. When we make biblical claims without sound interpretation, we run the risk of adopting a doctrinal position of deep conviction but devoid of love. Deep faith may resonate in our position, but it is the ethic of love that forces us to prayerfully reexamine our position. The question I believe we should pose to our congregations is, “Should all Americans have the same civil rights?” This is a radically different question than the one you raised with the ministers, “Does the church have the right to perform or not perform certain religious rites?” There is difference between rights and rites. We should never misconstrue rights designed to protect diverse individuals in a pluralistic society versus religious rites designed by faith communities to communicate a theological or doctrinal perspective. These two questions are answered in two fundamentally different arenas. One is answered in the arena of civic debate where the Constitution is the document of authority. The other is answered in the realm of ecclesiastical councils where theology, conscience, and biblical mandates are the guiding ethos. I do not believe ecclesiastical councils are equipped to shape civic legislation, nor are civic representatives equipped to shape religious rituals and doctrine. / iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ ÃÊ ÌÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V Ê>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ̽ÃÊÜ À`Ã°Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊÜ>ÃÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V ÊÞi>ÀÃÊ>} ÊLÞÊ men who viewed women as property and children as trophies of sexual prowess. Marriage is under attack by low wages, high incarceration, unfair tax policy, unemployment, and lack of education. Marriage is under attack by clergy who proclaim monogamy yet think nothing of stepping outside the bonds of marriage to have multiple affairs with “preaching groupies.” Same-gender couples did not cause the high divorce rate, but our adolescent views of relationships and our inability as a community to come to grips with the ethic of love and commitment did. We still confuse sex with love and romance with commitment. My father, who is a veteran of the civil rights movement and retired pastor, eloquently stated the critical nature of this i iVÌ ÊÜ i Êëi> }ÊÌ Ê ÃÌiÀÃÊÌ ÃÊ«>ÃÌÊÜii ÊÜ ÊV > ÊÌ iÞÊÜ Ê«Õ ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊvÀ ÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊ ÃÊ « Ã Ì °Ê iÊÃÌ>Ìi`]ʺ"ÕÀÊ ViÃÌ ÀÃÊ«À>Þi`Êv ÀÊÎn ÊÞi>ÀÃÊÌ Ê« >ViÊ>Ê«iÀÃ Ê vÊV ÀÊ ÊÌ iÊ7 ÌiÊ ÕÃi°Ê/ iÞÊ i`Ê ÛiÀÊÓääÊ slave revolts, fought in 11 wars, one being a civil war where over 600,000 people died. Our mothers fought and were killed for women’s suffrage, our grandparents were lynched for the civil rights bill of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965… my father never had the opportunity to vote and I believe it is my sacred duty to pull the lever for every member of my family who was denied the right to vote. I will not allow narrow-minded ministers or regressive politicians the satisfaction of keeping me from my sacred right to vote to shape the future for my grandchildren.” º/ iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ ÃÊ ÌÊÕ `iÀÊ>ÌÌ>V Ê>ÃÊ>ÊÀiÃÕ ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ̽ÃÊÜ À`ð» >ÞÊ> `Ê iÃL > ÊV Ì âi ÃÊ` `Ê ÌÊV>ÕÃiÊÌ iÊiV VÊVÀ>à ]Êv ÀiV ÃÕÀiÃ]Ê> `Ê>ÌÌ>V ÊÕ« Ê i> Ì ÊV>Ài°Ê* ÀÊÕ `iÀvÕ `i`Ê schools were not created because people desire equal protection under the law. We have much work to do as a community, > `ÊÌ ÊV > ÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ1 Ìi`Ê-Ì>ÌiÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ `ÊÞ ÕÀÊÌ i } V> Ê« Ã Ì Ê ÃÊ>LÃÕÀ`°Ê iÊ ÃÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ1 Ìi`Ê -Ì>ÌiÃÊ vÊ iÀ V>]Ê ÌÊÌ iÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ >«Ì ÃÌÊV Ûi Ì Ê ÀÊ Ã «Ê vÊÌ iÊ-> VÌ wi`Ê ÀÊ iÃÃÊ ÕÀV °Ê iÊ ÃÊV> i`Ê to protect the rights of Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, gay and straight, black and white, atheist and

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

>}Â˜ÂœĂƒĂŒÂˆV°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠLiĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvviĂ€i`ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŠÂ?i}ÂˆĂƒÂ?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠiĂ?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂœĂ€`iĂ€]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤĂ€iĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ>Ă€}ՓiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠLivÂœĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ -Ă•ÂŤĂ€i“iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒ°ĂŠ iĂŠĂƒÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂ?ĂžĂŠĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠVÂœÂ˜Ă›ÂˆVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜° If we dare steal away from the noise of this debate, we will realize as a church we are called to “do justice, live mercy, and walk humbly with God.â€? Gay people have never been the enemy; and when we use rhetoric to suggest they are the source of our problems we lie on God and cause tears to flow from the eyes of Christ. I am not asking you to change your position, but I am stating we must stay in dialogue and not allow our own personal emotional prejudices or doctrines to prevent us from seeing the possibilities of a beloved community. ÂœĂ›i“LiĂ€ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠv>ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€Âœ>V…ˆ˜}]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒÂŤÂˆĂ€ÂˆĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â?Â?>ĂŠ >ÂŽiĂ€]ĂŠ-iÂŤĂŒÂˆÂ“>ĂŠ Â?>ÀŽi]ĂŠ >˜˜ˆiĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂŠ >““iĂ€]ĂŠ,ÂœĂƒ>ĂŠ*>Ă€ÂŽĂƒ]ĂŠ °ĂŠ*…ˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂŤĂŠ ,>˜`ÂœÂ?ÂŤÂ…]ĂŠ >“iĂƒĂŠ"Ă€>˜}i]ĂŠ i`}>ÀÊ Ă›iĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ ˆ˜}ĂŠ Ă€°ĂŠĂƒĂŒ>˜`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠL>Â?VÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠÂ…i>Ă›iÂ˜ĂŠĂ€>ÂˆĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iʾÕiĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ “Will you do justice, live mercy, and walk humbly with our God?â€? Emmitt Till and the four little girls who were assassinated in Alabama during worship did not die for a Sunday sermonic sound bite to show disdain for one group of God’s people. They were killed by an evil act enacted by men who believed in doctrine over love. We serve in ministry this day because of >ʓ>Â˜ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠLiÂ?ˆiĂ›i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂ›iĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊ`ÂœVĂŒĂ€ÂˆÂ˜iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`ˆi`ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ…ÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠV>Â?Â?i`ĂŠ >Â?Ă›>Ă€ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠ`Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂžĂŠ*>Â?iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜Âˆ>Â˜ĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂ“]äääĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒĂŠ>}Âœ°ĂŠ Do not let the rhetoric of this debate keep you from the polls, my friends.

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TRUTH IS POWER " Ê Ì iÊ Ã `iÊ vÊ ÃÕ«« ÀÌ }Ê Ã> i ÃiÝÊ >ÀÀ >}i]Ê Ì iÊ Ài } Õà ÞÊ Õ >vw >Ìi`Ê ­ÇÓÊ«iÀVi Ì®Ê>ÀiÊ i`ÊLÞÊ > À Ì iÃÊ vÊ iÜÃÊ­ÇÈÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê iÀ V> ÃÊ>vw >Ìi`ÊÜ Ì Ê >Ê Õ`i À ÃÌ > ÊÀi } Ê­ÈÎÊ«iÀVi Ì®]ÊÜ ÌiÊ >Ì VÃÊ­xÈÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê Ã«> VÊ

>Ì VÃÊ­xÎÊ«iÀVi Ì®]Ê> `ÊÜ ÌiÊ > iÊ*À ÌiÃÌ> ÌÃÊ­xÓÊ«iÀVi Ì®°Ê/ }iÌ iÀ]ÊÌ iÃiÊ religious groups make up approximately 45 percent of the general population. *ÕL VÊ,i } Ê,iÃi>ÀV Ê ÃÌ ÌÕÌi ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê>Û> >L iÊ>ÌÊ ÌÌ«\ÉÉ iÜÜ>Þà ÃÌÀÞL }°Ü À`«ÀiÃðV ÉÓä£ÓÉäÓÉä É> >VÀ ÃÃ Ì i > ` Ài } Õà ÃÕ«« ÀÌ v À >ÀÀ >}i iµÕ> ÌÞ V Ì ÕiÃ Ì }À ÜÉ

Ê > À ÌÞÊ vÊ À ÃÌ > ÃÊ­xÓ¯®Ê «« ÃiÊÌ iÊ` ÃVÀ >Ì ÀÞÊ ivi ÃiÊ vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊ VÌ° Õ > Ê, } ÌÃÊ > «> } Ê> `Ê Àii LiÀ}Ê+Õ > Ê, à iÀÊ,iÃi>ÀV Õ ÊÀi« ÀÌÊ>VViÃà L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ° ÀV° À}Éw iÃÉ>ÃÃiÌÃÉÀià ÕÀViÃÉ,i } * }Ó䣣 i °«`v

nÈ¯Ê vÊ À ÃÌ > ÃÊ Li iÛiÊ Ì i ÀÊ v> Ì Ê i>`ÃÊ Ì i Ê Ì Ê Ì iÊ V V ÕÃ Ê Ì >ÌÊ Ì iÊ >ÜÊ should treat all people equally, including LGBT people. Õ > Ê, } ÌÃÊ > «> } ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê>L ÕÌÊÌ iÊ« Ê>Û> >L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ° ÀV° À}ÉÀià ÕÀViÃÉi ÌÀÞÉÀi } « Ó䣣

Religious support of LGBT people helps to reduce the feelings of isolation, shame, and guilt that many LGBT adolescents and adults face and is likely to reduce the number of LGBT-related suicides. Addressing Religious Arguments to Achieve LGBT Equality: A Report by Faith in America Õ ÊÀi« ÀÌÊ>VViÃà L iÊ>Ì ÌÌ«\ÉÉÜÜÜ°v> Ì > iÀ V>° À}ÉÓä£ä ÓÉÜ« V Ìi ÌÉÕ« >`ÃÉÓä£äÉ££É Ú vÀ Ì },i } Õà À}Õ i Ìð«`v

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

FAITH PETITION IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY 7i]ÊÌ iÊÕ `iÀà } i`ÊqÊ«i « iÊ vÊv> Ì ÊvÀ Ê>ÊÛ>À iÌÞÊ vÊv> Ì ÊV Õ Ì iÃÊ>VÀ ÃÃÊ ÕÀÊÃÌ>ÌiÊqÊÃÌÀ } ÞÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊÌ iÊ Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. We dedicate our lives to fostering faith and values, and we work daily to promote love, justice, and fairness for all. Standing on these beliefs, we think that it is morally just Ì Ê}À> ÌÊiµÕ> ÊÀ } ÌÃÊ> `ÊÀië à L Ì iÃÊÌ Ê Û }]ÊV ÌÌi`ÊÃ> iÊÃiÝÊV Õ« iðÊ/ iÀiÊV> ÊLiÊ Ê ÕÃÌ wV>Ì Ê for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Some have misused the name of religion to justify slavery, to deny women the right to vote and deny marriage to ÌiÀÀ>V > ÊV Õ« iÃÊqÊ«i « iÊ vÊ} `Ü Êw `ÊÌ >ÌÊÕ V ÃV >L iÊÌ `>Þ°Ê7iÊ>VVi«ÌÊ ÕÀÊLÀ Ì iÀÃÊ> `Êà ÃÌiÀÃÊ> `Ê recognize that their relationships and families need equal recognition and protections. There are differences among our many religious traditions. Some recognize and bless same-sex unions and à iÊ` Ê Ì°Ê/ iÊ ÃÊ,i } ÕÃÊ Àii` Ê> `Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ > À iÃÃÊ VÌÊÀi>vwÀ ÃÊÌ iÊ ÃÌ ÌÕÌ > Ê}Õ>À> ÌiiÊ that no religious denomination would be compelled or forced to solemnize any relationship that is outside its faith tradition. It gives equal civil recognition and protections to loving, committed couples. We agree that all ÃÊV Õ« iÃÊÃ Õ `Ê >ÛiÊÌ iÊÃ> iÊV Û Ê«À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ> `ÊÕÀ}iÊÞ ÕÊ>ÃÊ>Ê«ÕL VÊ vwV > ÊÌ ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊ i>ÃÕÀiÃÊÌ Ê achieve equality. The wide variety of sacred writings and traditions carry the message of love, justice and inclusion of all. The very basis of a marriage is to protect the family, strengthen our communities and emphasize compassion and love. No couple should be excluded from civil protections. We want to promote the common good -- what is best for individuals, couples, families, children, and society. As people of faith and citizens of Illinois, we ask you to stand for the freedom of all our citizens and support marriage equality. It’s not only a matter of equality - it’s a matter of conscience and justice.

/ Ê ÊÌ iÊ }Ê ÃÌÊ vÊà } >Ì À iÃÊ vÊÌ ÃÊ > Ì Ê*iÌ Ì ]ÊÌ Êi ` ÀÃiÊÌ iÊ,i } ÕÃÊ Àii` Ê> `Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ > À iÃÃÊ Act, or to discuss marriage equality further please contact Caroline Staerk, Equality Illinois Field Director. Equality Illinois ÎΣnÊ ÀÌ Ê > ÃÌi`Ê-ÌÀiiÌ Chicago, Illinois 60657 ÇÇÎ {ÇÇ Ç£ÇÎ cstaerk@eqil.org www.eqil.org v>ViL °V ÉiµÕ> ÌÞ Ã

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THE RELIGIOUS CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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Equality Illinois is the state’s oldest and largest organization securing, defending, and protecting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. www.EqualityIllinois.org ÎÇ£ÓÊ Ê À >`Ü>ÞÊ £Óx

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