Memorandum in Support of Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
and Passage of S.3816/A.7392

March 2, 2004

Interfaith IMPACT of New York State - a statewide advocacy organization representing Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, and Reform Jewish congregations and individuals - addresses emerging public policies and their legislative implications from the shared faith traditions of our constituencies. The mandate for this derives from the historic teachings of our faith in God and humankind, which calls upon all people to participate in the ongoing work of perfecting the world.

A recent survey of the IINYS Clergy Advisory Board indicated broad acceptance of civil marriage for same-sex couples. Civil marriage is a separate issue from religious marriage, and legislation granting licenses for civil marriage in no way obligates any denomination to provide a religious ceremony.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court's decision is a recognition that we cannot allow our nation to continue to be segregated into separate and decidedly unequal groups: those adults who are free to express their love for one another in marriage and those adults who are not. As the Court's opinion makes clear, a wide array of rights and privileges flow from civil marriage. People in a commitied relationship should not be excluded from such benefits based solely on their sexual orientation.

Massachusetts Chief Justice Margaret Marshall wrote, "Marriage is a vital social institution,. "The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support. It brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial and social benefits. In return, it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations."

This view is consistent with our fundamental principles - honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every person, commitment to compassion, equity and justice, and acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. It is in keeping with our prophetic social action tradition .

The struggle for full human rights for homosexual people is far from over. While there will be fundamentalists who will say this violates the will and word of God, there will also be those of us who read our Bibles quite differently. We will point out that in the Scriptures there are 12 prohibitions against homosexual sex behavior, mostly for ritualistic reasons., and 300 against heterosexual behavior.

It is clear that the pain of loving relationships rejected by society is too great. People living in long, committed relationships who have no economic rights for mutual support; people not allowed to visit their beloved dying in a hospital; people whose love is discounted because it does not fit conventional thought is a pain is too great to be endured or allowed.

Our supporters represent thousands of people, and we believe there's a very large constituency of people of faith who are in support of civil marriage.

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