The Supreme Court is deciding whether my spouse and I are "legally" married. I am disgusted this is even a question. Yet, I also am in awe and overjoyed that I am alive to witness the potential for overdue social progress.
Due to stereotyping, prejudice, and bigotry, people who are gay and lesbian were, and sometimes still are, viewed through the lens of sex. Through education and advocacy, we are now more often and more appropriately viewed through the lens of relationship, love, commitment and humanity.
A majority finally understands two same-gender people can have a healthy, loving relationship in the same way as opposite-gender couples. The privacy of sex should remain private; the public profession of love for another person should be happily acknowledged by all.
I earned my master's of divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary in 2000; please don't try to argue a biblical analysis of marriage. There is no theological basis for denying blessing same-gender marriage in the same way there never was for denying interracial marriage. I'm proud to be an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, a progressive, Christian denomination that has advocated marriage equality.
Marriage equality should have nothing to do with religious beliefs. Our government is charged with protecting the rights of all people.
For the religious who want to discriminate and deny blessing same-gender marriages, do as you wish. However, you have no right to impose your religious beliefs on anyone's civil rights. As for the gay and lesbian couples who want a religious blessing, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to officiate at your wedding.
Rev. Anthony W. Green
pastor, Community Congregational Church of Clinton Heights, Rensselaer, www. clintonheightsucc.org