From Baltimore Out Loud

Marriage Forum Reaches Out to Local Clergy

By Steve Charing

August 19, 2005

Frederick, MD - In an effort to dispel the myth promulgated by mainstream media that all clergy oppose marriage for same-sex couples, Equality Maryland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland have jointly sponsored a series of forums on marriage throughout the state. These meetings invite members of the clergy from a variety of denominations and congregations to listen to the broad range of religious, political, and legal issues surrounding the national debate on marriage for same-sex couples. The most recent forum took place on August 10 at the Evangelical Reformed Church-United Church of Christ in Frederick.

"We are seeking an honest dialogue in Frederick and engage clergy who have not been engaged on this issue," said Dan Furmansky, Executive Director of Equality Maryland (www.equalitymaryland.org), the state's principal lgbt civil rights organization. "We want to encourage vocal opposition to a potential constitutional amendment [to prevent same-sex couples from marrying in Maryland] and garner support for the lawsuit [Deane and Polyak v. Conaway pending before the Baltimore Circuit Court]." This lawsuit is challenging the state of Maryland's refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Over 50 people attended the four-hour seminar that included many clergy, members of several congregations, lay leaders, community leaders, and the press. Most of the clergy represented various churches in Frederick - the home of the notoriously homophobic State Senator Alex X. Mooney - but other locations were represented as well.

The theme of the workshop - "Is Same-Sex Marriage a Civil Rights Issue?" - was designed to enlighten those in attendance on the reasons for marriage equality, the forces that oppose it, information on the lawsuit, and to prepare for a predicted virulent backlash should the Court rule in favor of the plaintiffs sometime during the fall.

Following Furmansky's opening remarks, a series of speakers made brief presentations touching on virtually all components of the issue. David Rocah, Staff Attorney for ACLU of Maryland and who is a married heterosexual, provided the legal background to marriage for same-sex couples and a status of the pending lawsuit. He said, "The issue isn't 'is marriage a civil right?' The issue is 'is equality a civil right?'" Rocah pointed out that the legal strategy for marriage equality centers on whether lesbians and gays are considered people where the equal protection clause applies. "The state cannot deny unequal treatment," Rocah said. "Can they justify it? Do they need to? That is the central issue."

Meredith Moise, the field organizer for Equality Maryland and herself a Deacon in the Reform Catholic Church, told of the misinformation circulating stating that if marriage for same-sex couples were to become legal, then clergy would be forced to perform marriage ceremonies for lgbt couples. "What we are seeking is the marriage license that represents over 1,000 benefits and responsibilities," Moise told the audience in distinguishing between the civil benefits resulting from a marriage and a religious blessing. She also spoke out against fellow African Americans -especially members of the clergy - who misrepresent the messages of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders and claim civil right struggles as theirs alone.

Meredith Curtis, the Public Education Director at ACLU of Maryland, reiterated one of the central messages that emanated from this workshop when she said, "The religious community does not speak with one voice on this issue." She proceeded to profile the nine couples and a widowed man, John Lestitian, who are plaintiffs in the Deane and Polyak v. Conaway suit.

Lestitian, in a touching presentation, declared that "the religious community and others that have been supportive of marriage equality have been silent too long." He also cited the lack of visitation and other medical decision-making rights as a major human impediment in dealing with his partner's death.

Charles Blackburn and partner of 27 years Glen Dehn are also plaintiffs in the suit. Blackburn, who is a retired Unitarian Minister and civil rights activist, spoke eloquently on their personal lives and how their marriage would be a logical validation of shared lives in a loving, committed relationship that is embraced by their families and friends.

The forum concluded with a presentation of a hate-filled 1993 video, "Gay Rights-Special Rights," used by opponents of lgbt equality that falsified, misrepresented and distorted facts and was bolstered by inflammatory images and quotes taken out of context. The purpose of showing this piece was to dramatize to those clergy in attendance the tactics the opposition is willing to employ. One clergyman said that this video is being sold, for example, in a Christian bookstore in Frederick.

The clergy attended the forum for a variety of reasons. Some are members of the Religious Coalition for Civil Marriage Equality. Some were among the over 100 Maryland clergy endorsing "The Statement on Equal Access to Marriage," further countering the impression that not all clergy oppose marriage equality for lgbt.

Rev. Vince Robinson, who is a pastor of a local parish and is also a Chancellor in the American Catholic Church (not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church) that, in addition to other services, reaches out to those alienated by other churches, is a long time resident of Maryland. "It is important to be involved with state issues, and as a member of the clergy it is important to have our voices heard."

Closer to home, Rev. Roger Scott Powers, associate pastor of the First and Franklin St. Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, is among those who signed off on the Equal Access to Marriage Statement. He attended this workshop to prepare for a similar event to be held at his church on September 28 - "The Struggle for Marriage Equality: A Public Forum on the State of Gay Marriage in America."

Rev. Patrick Cronk, a Dublin-born minister in Frederick and the presiding bishop of the Universal Catholic Church who is about to retire, stated he had two previous lovers who were brutally murdered for being gay - one with a page from Leviticus stabbed into his body with a knife. In warning us against underestimating the opposition, he implored the audience, "This is real! This is real!"

The forum succeeded in communicating the need to realistically deal with our opposition and demonstrating that the lgbt community draws much support from people of faith. Rev. Cronk's chilling story and warning brought the point home.