Congratulations California Newlyweds!
Category: Unitarian Universalism - General
Congratulations to gays and lesbians who married today in California, and to those couples who are excitedly planning their weddings! Unitarian Universalists have been on the forefront of advocating for marriage equality nationally, in Massachusetts, and in California. And UU California congregations and their members have been celebrating the legalization of gay and lesbian weddings in California. (For more information, visit the UU Legislative Ministry, California, or check out these articles about the Humboldt UU’s and the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco).
I have happy memories of when same-sex marriage was legalized here in Massachusetts, on May 17, 2004. I stood outside Cambridge City Hall with my now-husband Shai, and with seemingly hundreds of other supporters (and only a tiny number of protestors) while couples received their licenses, starting at midnight. The atmosphere was like an amazing party. It was one of the most moving, euphoric public events I’ve ever attended. That night, a couple who belong to my congregation became the first couple in Massachusetts to file for a wedding license.
Later that year, I attended my minister’s wedding to her longtime partner, where congregants, friends, and of course, their two children, were there to celebrate. Again, it was such a joyful occasion.
I think of marriage between two people who love each other and are committed to one another as a sacred bond. Caring for another person with respect, compassion and steadfastness is a sacred act. The joy I felt when I saw gay and lesbian couples finally able to marry comes out a sense of religious awe for what marriage can be. While some opponents of same-sex marriage claim that it trivializes marriage, I see the movement for marriage equality coming out a continuing belief that marriage can be sacred, transformative, and deeply nourishing. It’s because marriage does matter in our social and religious context that so many people want to see the benefits and responsibilities of marriage be made available not only to some people, but to all people.
June 18th, 2008 16:43
Hooray!!
My sister was at Cambridge City Hall that night as well, as a volunteer helping out. She said the joy was palpatable and that it was an honor to be there.
The first morning licenses were issued, I went with my 17 month old daughter to our City Hall. I could only afford a dozen carnations, but I gave each away to the happy couples who emerged from the clerk’s office. It was wonderful. Our mayor, bless him, was there too, offering his congratulations. It was wonderful.
It makes me so proud to be witness this.
June 21st, 2008 14:36
Hi Ali,
Thanks for your note! What a small world that your sister was at Cambridge City Hall too.
That was sweet of you to give out flowers to couples. A UU blogger recently wrote about how members of his congregation went to congratulate couples receiving licenses, and how one couple was teary-eyed to find they were being greeted by supporters (not protestors!) Not only is it a wonderful feeling to be a part of someone’s special day, but it helps to counteract the impact of a culture that can still be very homophobic.