LEADERSHIP ADVISORY
from the MCC Communications Department
You may forward, share, reprint or reproduce this information.
MONDAY . June 29, 2009
Here's a brief follow-up of the highlights of today's White House event for U.S.-based LGBT leaders.
______________________________
Two-hundred LGBT leaders attended today's White House reception hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, including four members of Metropolitan Community Churches: Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and her partner, Rev. Candy Holmes, and Rev. Elder Troy Perry and his spouse, Phillip Ray De Blieck.
______________________________
The President reaffirmed his campaign commitments to the LGBT community and told the group not to judge him on his promises, that at the end of his term, if judged on the things he has accomplished, the LGBT community will judge him well. He reaffirmed his commitment to overturning DOMA and DADT and he endorsed ENDA. Darlene said he was emphatic in his commitment: "He didn't give us campaign promises, he gave us his word and his pledge."
______________________________
The President and First Lady entered the East Room and were walking toward the stage when they stopped and walked over to greet Troy by name. Troy wanted to be sure the President connected with MCC and said, "I'm with Metropolitan Community Churches." Obama replied that he was very familiar with the work of Metropolitan Community Churches. Troy then said, "I want you to meet Phillip, my husband of 24 years, Today is his birthday." They both congratulated Phillip and the First Lady gave him a hug and a kiss.
______________________________
Darlene Garner and her partner, Rev. Candy Holmes, had a few private minutes with the President before the event began. Candy is a federal employee and will be testifying before Congress on July 8 concerning equal benefits for LGBT federal workers.
______________________________
The President and Michelle stayed for an extended time and talked one-on-one with the attendees.
______________________________
At least one third of those present were people of color.
______________________________
Troy has been to the White House five times -- he said he had never seen a U.S. president who was so comfortable with and among the LGBT community.
(END)
Jim Birkitt
Communications Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
P. O. Box 691728
West Hollywood, California 90069
E-mail: info@MCCchurch.net and UFMCCHQ@aol.com
03 June 2009
New Hampshire Becomes 6th U.S. State
A LEADERSHIP ADVISORY
The Communications Department
of Metropolitan Community Churches
www.MCCchurc.org . info@MCCchurch.net
June 3, 2009
New Hampshire Becomes 6th U.S. State
To Legalize Same-Gender Marriage
MCC Leader Hails "Advancement In Bringing Equality Under The Law To All People"
New Hampshire today became the sixth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, after a bill enacted by both the state House and Senate was signed into law by Governor John Lynch.
"Today we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear they will receive the same rights, responsibilities and respect under New Hampshire law," Lynch said before signing the bill. Lynch said it was a New Hampshire tradition "to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections and that tradition continues today."
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, hailed the decision. "We are celebrating with the people of New Hampshire and with LGBT couples across that state at the news of today's advancement in bringing equality under the law to all people. This action heartens people of goodwill everywhere to redouble our efforts on behalf of justice and equality, in general, and marriage equality, in particular."
Metropolitan Community Churches has supported marriage equality for four decades. In 1969, MCC Founder Rev. Troy Perry performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages. The courts dismissed that case, but it launched the international movement for marriage equality.
Same-gender marriage is now legal in six U.S. states -- Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, all of the new England states, except Rhode Island -- and in Iowa.
# END #
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND MCC:
For 40 years, MCC has been at the forefront of the marriage equality movement. In 1969, MCC's Founder Rev. Troy Perry performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States in Huntington Park, California. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition of same-gender marriages. That case was dismissed, but it served to launch the marriage equality movement in the United States. In 1975, Rev. Freda Smith performed the first U.S. same-sex wedding conducted with a civil marriage license in Denver, Colorado, for Richard Adams and Anthony Sullivan. Their marriage is still listed on the Colorado Bureau of Records website. In 1994, MCC's Rev. Roberto Gonzalez performed the first mass lesbian-gay blessing of couples in South America at the ILGA in Rio. In 2001, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes of MCC Toronto performed Canada's first legal same-sex wedding under Canada's ancient law of the Reading of the Bann's. In 2003, Supreme Court of Ontario upheld MCC Toronto's legal case -- making same-gender marriage legal throughout Canada. Rev. Troy Perry and his spouse, Phillip Ray De Blieck, were legally married under Canadian law in July of 2003. In 2002, MCC members Alejandro Soria and Oscar Benitez became the second couple in Latin America -- and the first clergy couple -- to be united under Buenos Aires' Civil Union provision. In 2004, Rev. Troy Perry and his spouse sued the County of Los Angeles seeking the specific legal recognition of their Canadian marriage and the general recognition of same-gender marriages under California constitutional law. In 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Rev. Perry's lawsuit, making marriage equality the law in California. 18,000 same-sex couples were legally married before California voters revoked marriage equality in the Prop. 8 vote in November of 2008. Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas serves as president of the interfaith California Faith for Equality, which represents 6000 faith leaders and organizations in California. MCC members have been at the forefront of the marriage equality movements in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, South Africa and the United States.
Jim Birkitt
Communications Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
Tel. (310) 625-4177
E-mail: info@MCCchurch.net
The Communications Department
of Metropolitan Community Churches
www.MCCchurc.org . info@MCCchurch.net
June 3, 2009
New Hampshire Becomes 6th U.S. State
To Legalize Same-Gender Marriage
MCC Leader Hails "Advancement In Bringing Equality Under The Law To All People"
New Hampshire today became the sixth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, after a bill enacted by both the state House and Senate was signed into law by Governor John Lynch.
"Today we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear they will receive the same rights, responsibilities and respect under New Hampshire law," Lynch said before signing the bill. Lynch said it was a New Hampshire tradition "to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections and that tradition continues today."
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, hailed the decision. "We are celebrating with the people of New Hampshire and with LGBT couples across that state at the news of today's advancement in bringing equality under the law to all people. This action heartens people of goodwill everywhere to redouble our efforts on behalf of justice and equality, in general, and marriage equality, in particular."
Metropolitan Community Churches has supported marriage equality for four decades. In 1969, MCC Founder Rev. Troy Perry performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages. The courts dismissed that case, but it launched the international movement for marriage equality.
Same-gender marriage is now legal in six U.S. states -- Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, all of the new England states, except Rhode Island -- and in Iowa.
# END #
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND MCC:
For 40 years, MCC has been at the forefront of the marriage equality movement. In 1969, MCC's Founder Rev. Troy Perry performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States in Huntington Park, California. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition of same-gender marriages. That case was dismissed, but it served to launch the marriage equality movement in the United States. In 1975, Rev. Freda Smith performed the first U.S. same-sex wedding conducted with a civil marriage license in Denver, Colorado, for Richard Adams and Anthony Sullivan. Their marriage is still listed on the Colorado Bureau of Records website. In 1994, MCC's Rev. Roberto Gonzalez performed the first mass lesbian-gay blessing of couples in South America at the ILGA in Rio. In 2001, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes of MCC Toronto performed Canada's first legal same-sex wedding under Canada's ancient law of the Reading of the Bann's. In 2003, Supreme Court of Ontario upheld MCC Toronto's legal case -- making same-gender marriage legal throughout Canada. Rev. Troy Perry and his spouse, Phillip Ray De Blieck, were legally married under Canadian law in July of 2003. In 2002, MCC members Alejandro Soria and Oscar Benitez became the second couple in Latin America -- and the first clergy couple -- to be united under Buenos Aires' Civil Union provision. In 2004, Rev. Troy Perry and his spouse sued the County of Los Angeles seeking the specific legal recognition of their Canadian marriage and the general recognition of same-gender marriages under California constitutional law. In 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Rev. Perry's lawsuit, making marriage equality the law in California. 18,000 same-sex couples were legally married before California voters revoked marriage equality in the Prop. 8 vote in November of 2008. Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas serves as president of the interfaith California Faith for Equality, which represents 6000 faith leaders and organizations in California. MCC members have been at the forefront of the marriage equality movements in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, South Africa and the United States.
Jim Birkitt
Communications Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
Tel. (310) 625-4177
E-mail: info@MCCchurch.net
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- Metropolitan Community Church is a place for all people. It is our founding belief that all are welcome at the table whether they are GLBT, Straight, Questioning, a member of MCC, a member of another church, or not affiliated with a church at all. The love of God is NOT conditional. All are welcome!