From Susan Russell, President of Integrity USA:
November 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Integrity is deeply disappointed that anti-LGBT marriage bans passed in Florida and Arizona, and that in Arkansas voters voted to bar all unmarried people, LGBT or straight, from adopting children or serving as foster parents. And while ballots are still being counted in California and results are not yet clear, what is clear is that we have miles to go in this great country of ours before liberty and justice for all is not just a pledge but a reality.
"We believe discrimination against any member of the human family grieves the heart of God,' said Integrity President Susan Russell. "And, here in California, we are deeply saddened that the multi-million dollar campaign of fear, disinformation and division waged by Proposition 8 supporters worked to convince so many voters to choose bigotry over equality."
"While many voters came to believe this discriminatory initiative was about school curriculum and tax exempt status for churches, the reality is that this proposition attempts to totally undo one of the fundamental purposes of our constitution: to protect the rights of minorities from the kind of campaign of lies and distortions we have witnessed here in California."
Nevertheless, Integrity is committed to continuing to work with our interfaith partners toward the day when "liberty and justice for all" in this nation really means "all." We are convinced that in the end, the fundamental fairness of the American people will prevail and we will continue to work, strive, pray, preach and advocate for that day when LGBT families will no longer be "strangers at the gate" but full and equal citizens in this great nation of ours.
"At the same time, we will continue our efforts within the Episcopal Church and our witness to the wider Anglican Communion on behalf of the LGBT faithful. Even as we commit ourselves to continue to offer our witness to end discrimination in the civil arena, we are looking ahead to our 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Integrity and will redouble our efforts to work for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments of our church as we pray for God's strength and guidance in the struggle toward wholeness for the whole human family."
(The Reverend) Susan Russell, President
Amen to that.
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen, DP.
ReplyDeleteAll Saint's, Pasadena has made its statement to continue to marry gay folk. Good for All Saints, you can always depend upon them to do the right thing no matter what. Oh, that we had more like them.
ReplyDeleteIs it the right thing?
ReplyDeleteWhile my sense of social justice says "right on", I'm not at all confident that deliberately breaking the rules is any more justified for our side than the other guys.
IT
Grandmere --Susan implies that the ballots are still being counted in CA--which in my mind implies that it is still not over.... OMG... how long.... what if.... sheeeshh!
ReplyDeleteIs that how you read it? Are folks still holding out?!
The folks who fought for civil rights used non-violent civil disobedience, which I did not disagree with. Is there such a thing as ecclesiastical disobedience? Of course, it's been done. Sometimes it moves things forward, but there are consequences.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, there were a rather large number of absentee ballots that needed to be counted, but I have no idea if they are enough to change the outcome. I Googled around, but I couldn't find anything definitive.
No, it's margaret, there's no hope. The precise % may vary a bit, but it's over and NO-on-8 conceded.
ReplyDeleteMany of the uncounted ballots were from rural California which voted Yes by 70% in some places.
I believe at the time Susan wrote her note it wasn't official, although the papers had already called it.
IT
Sigh. That's what I thought. But it is dated for today....
ReplyDeleteThank you IT. You and your beloved, in particular, have been in my prayers.