NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 11, 2005

EQUALITY MARYLAND
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 301-587-7500
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:  dan@equalitymaryland.org

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MARYLAND REJECTS MARRIAGE DISCRIMINATION

By a substantial majority, Diocese Votes to Oppose Constitutional Amendments Banning Marriage Equality

Silver Spring - At its 221st Annual Convention held in Hagerstown Friday and Saturday, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland issued four resolutions dealing with LGBT issues, including one that states that proposals to amend the U.S. or Maryland Constitutions "would create new discriminatory barriers to gay and lesbian persons who desire equality in taxation, child custody, personal finances, and the right to make health-care decisions for elderly or sick partners." Equality Maryland, Maryland's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, praised the Diocese for recognizing that all families share the same basic concerns and deserve the same basic protections for peace of mind.

"The Episcopal Diocese is joining a host of religious denominations that outright reject discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity," said Executive Director Dan Furmansky. "As more clergy come out in support of full and equal protection under the law for families headed by same-sex couples, it becomes more and more clear that while everyone is entitled to hold dear to their religious beliefs, using those beliefs to justify writing discrimination into a constitution is nothing short of un-American."

The other three resolutions passed by the Diocese support legislation providing benefits to same-sex couples, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression and sexual orientation, and the establishment of a commission to study and recommend "appropriate pastoral responses to couples living in relationships other than marriage."

"It is clear that Our Lord Jesus Christ worked among the poor and spoke out for the marginalized," said Episcopal Bishop Robert W. Ihloff, in a statement announcing the resolutions. "Issues of social justice lie at the heart of the Gospel. All persons are loved children of God, and Jesus and our Baptismal Covenant call us to 'love our neighbor' and to 'respect the dignity of every person.' As we 'seek and serve Christ in every person,' we are called to defend the rights of all persons and fight against bigotry and discrimination at every level."

The Convention of the Diocese of Maryland is made up of lay representatives and the clergy of the 119 parishes and missions in the Diocese, which includes ten counties (west of the Chesapeake) and Baltimore City. Resolutions are submitted by laity and clergy, discussed on the floor of Convention, and voted on by all delegates to the Convention. Normally the bishops do not vote on resolutions, although each bishop is entitled to vote.

For more information on the resolutions, visit: http://ang-md.org/

###

Statement from the Convention of the Diocese of Maryland - May 2005

The Convention of the Diocese of Maryland is made up of lay representatives and the clergy of the 119 parishes and missions in the Diocese, which includes ten counties (west of the Chesapeake) and Baltimore City. Resolutions are submitted by laity and clergy, discussed on the floor of Convention, and voted on by all delegates to the Convention. Normally the bishops do not vote on resolutions, although each bishop is entitled to vote.

We are a Diocese and Church keenly supportive of issues of social justice. It is clear that Our Lord Jesus Christ worked among the poor and spoke out for the marginalized. Issues of social justice lie at the heart of the Gospel. All persons are loved children of God, and Jesus and our Baptismal Covenant call us to "love our neighbor" and to "respect the dignity of every person." As we "seek and serve Christ in every person," we are called to defend the rights of all persons and fight against bigotry and discrimination on every level.

The Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church have long called for appropriate pastoral care of and Christian respect for gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Members of our Church around the world interpret Scriptural passages applied to homosexuality in different ways. In this Diocese, we acknowledge with thanksgiving gay and lesbian members some of whom are in committed, life-long relationship. As a Church we have not authorized the blessing of same-sex unions. We do support the rights of same-sex partners to equal protection under the laws of our state and nation.

At our Convention four Resolutions were presented, debated, and passed by a substantial majority. One Resolution calls for the establishment of a Task Force of laity and clergy to study appropriate pastoral responses to couples living in relationships other than marriage. This Task Force is charged with collecting resources, creating a study guide, and reporting to next year's Convention. Another Resolution supports legislation on the state and federal levels which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Another Resolution supports legislation to provide benefits to same-sex couples. Finally, another Resolution opposes a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.

The Right Reverend Robert W. Ihloff, D.Min., D.D.
Bishop of Maryland