Statement of Faith-Based Support

for Same-Sex Marriage

Faith Statement in Support of Antidiscrimination

"Until we are all free, we are none of us free." – Emma Lazarus

Click here to see the signers of the Statement of Faith-Based Support for Same-Sex Marriage

We, the undersigned religious leaders of faith-based agencies, communities and congregations in the Greater Puget Sound region, join together to speak with one voice as we advocate for equal civil and legal rights for all couples in the State of Washington. Just as religious leaders before us have spoken to end slavery, and ensure equal rights to all persons regardless of gender or race, so we oppose any legislation that discriminates, in particular, limiting the civil rights of any couple to marry or join in union.

Love is a universal constant spoken of in all religions. To restrict the right of any couple to express their vows of love and form families through marriages or unions is an unconscionable violation of religious freedom. We believe that the government should never act to impose the beliefs of some religions upon others.

We oppose any effort to change the Constitution of the United States to enshrine discrimination into law. We believe that doing so infringes upon the rights of the individual states to regulate marriages. We further believe that, should such an amendment pass, it would violate the spirit of freedom for all people that the founders of our nation instilled in us.

We must speak out. We have participated or officiated in unions and marriages of same sex couples, some of us for many years, and have been profoundly moved by the sincere desire for tradition and stability within these families. We have seen how these unions have benefited and built community.

We call upon the Legislature of Washington State to take a stand against discrimination in our state by repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act enacted on February 6, 1998, and adopting legislation that extends equal rights to all couples. Many same sex couples have too long suffered the denial of basic rights that allow determination of medical care, care of children, and inheritance of mutual property. We call upon our legislators to resist any movement to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict the union of any couple who wishes to marry. We in turn will engage in dialogue, education and direct action within the community to ensure that our voice is heard.

Marriage in our society is under attack, but not by same sex couples. It is undermined instead by spousal and child abuse, the trivialization of commitment, the breakdown of social support systems and the denial of legal recognition of the unions of same sex couples.

We speak for many in our communities who believe that the continued denial of the rights (rites) of marriage and union to same sex couples is a national shame. Our nation claims to stand for freedom and equality for all. We urge you to join us and advance that great tradition.

Click here to see the signers of the Statement of Faith-Based Support for Same-Sex Marriage

Click here to see the signers of the Faith Statement in Support of Antidiscrimination

We, the faith leaders and people of faith in Washington State named below, support laws and actions that work against discrimination and protect the fragile rights of minorities in our society. In particular, we support the Anderson Murray Antidiscrimination Bill recently signed into law which protects everyone including sexual minorities from discrimination in employment, housing and insurance.

We believe that every person is created equal in the sight of our Creator and should be treated with equal rights in society. We choose to live in a society in which the rights of minorities are protected. These beliefs are the basic building blocks of our system of government. They represent the genius of the American form of democracy.

No person should be turned away from a job because of her sexual orientation. No person should be rejected from a contract because of his sexual orientation. No person should be evicted from an apartment because she is transgender. No person should be denied access to insurance because he is bisexual.

If only one case can be documented, it is one too many. Unfortunately, we know there are many unreported and reported acts of discrimination. If sexual minorities can now feel as secure and safe in our state as anyone else, this law is warranted.

The late Coretta Scott King said, “I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.” (March 31, 1998, Reuters) Selective justice is contradictory. Justice is always blind, always impartial, and always applied with equality to everyone.

We applaud the courage of legislators in both political parties in the House and Senate who went against narrow interests and voted to adopt this antidiscrimination law. We applaud our Governor who signed the legislation into law. We deplore the use of a referendum to overturn this legislation for financial self-gain. We deplore the betrayal by religious leaders of the tolerance and respect in which all the world’s great religions base their truths. Such a stance seems incredible and shocking to us. Discrimination is discrimination. Period. There is no middle ground.

For these reasons, we urge the citizens of the State of Washington to stand against any attempt to undermine this significant law and to decline to sign any petition seeking to overturn it. We believe in representative democracy and object to cynical attempts to use the referendum or initiative process to strip Washington State citizens of their constitutional rights.

Click here to see the signers of the Faith Statement in Support of Antidiscrimination