From Empire State Pride Agenda

Clergy across New York Voice Support for Right to Marry by Same-Sex Couples

Press Contacts: Joe Tarver (212) 627-0305 / (917) 604-7509 (cell)

New York City, February 14, 2005 – Today, fifty-six clergy from across the state representing a broad range of denominations issued a letter to the people of New York letting them know they support same-sex couples having access to the government institution of marriage and the legal rights and protections that come with it.

Signers of the letter said that marriage for same-sex couples as a religious rite was a decision for denominations to make on their own, but were clear in stating their belief that government should not be withholding the legal rights and protections of marriage from same-sex couples that it provides to other families. In the letter clergy said, “To deny those rights is to engage in discrimination” and then stated, “Discrimination is immoral.”

The fifty-six clergy were from faith communities that include American Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Jewish (Reform), United Methodist Church, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Buddhist, Metropolitan Community Church, and Unitarian Universalist. Geographic representation across New York State was equally broad, ranging from Oneonta to Rochester and from Watertown to Syosset.

The letter was released by Empire State Pride Agenda on Valentine’s Day, ten days after Judge Doris Ling-Cohan’s decision in support of marriage in New York for same-sex couples renewed debate over the issue and a number of clergy and faith traditions began making their views about the ruling public. The letter can be read here (PDF).

Pride in the Pulpit is a program of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation and is a faith-based network of clergy and laypeople representing hundreds of congregations and dozens of faith traditions across New York that advocates for equality and justice for LGBT people and their families.