October 30, 2009
Pastors unite to support same-sex marriage in D.C.
by Tim Craig
The Washington Post
Although ministers opposed to same-sex marriage in the Disrict have campaigned more vigorously, a growing number of religious leaders are mobilizing to support the proposal.
About 200, representing nearly every faith, have formed D.C. Clergy United for Marriage Equality. On Thursday night, more than 100 of them gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church in Northwest Washington to support a bill that D.C. Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) introduced this month that would allow same-sex couples to marry.
"There is this myth out there that you can't be pro-God and pro-gay," said the Rev. Robert M. Hardies, senior minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian, in the Columbia Heights area. "We are doing the best we can to share the message that there is strong support from within D.C.'s religious community for equality."
The church service comes as opponents redouble efforts to scuttle the bill. Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church, and others are seeking a referendum on banning same-sex marriage in the District. On Monday, nearly a dozen ministers asked the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics to approve a public vote.
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