The 'War on Religion' that never was

Mail-Order Condom Program Launches For California Teenagers

A new program supported by the California Department of Public Health will allow teenagers throughout various parts of the state to order condoms online for free.

The initiative, launched on Tuesday and available through TeenSource.org, a website that provides information about safe sex for California teenagers, will be available for individuals ages 12-19 in Alameda, Sacramento, Kern, San Joaquin and parts of San Francisco counties. According to theBakersfield Californian, the effort marks an attempt to tackle "alarmingly high" rates of STDs and teen pregnancies in certain regions. More

'It Gets Better' TV Special Featuring Dan Savage: Best Videos In Support Of LGBT Youth

"It Gets Better," the hour-long TV special focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, makes its highly-anticipated MTV and Logo debut tonightw.

According to Dan Savage, sex advice columnist and co-founder of the It Gets Better project, the emotional program will reportedly focus on the lives of three young people who are at different stages of of coming to terms with their sexual orientation and gender identity. MORE

Retired Archbishop Lord Carey launches campaign against same-sex marriage

Coalition for Marriage has today launched a petition in support of “the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it.”

In a recent Daily Mail article, Lord Carey claimed the proposal to change the status of marriage ”constitutes one of the greatest political power grabs in history”.

All this is in anticipation of the public consultation on how to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples, to be launched next month, a development supported by David Cameron. At last year’s Conservative party conference, the Prime Minister said: “I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.”

Lord Carey says he doesn’t begrudge rights and benefits to homosexual couples. Well, you could have fooled me. A glance at the list of signatories on the petition shows that the anti same-sex marriage campaign is supported by those who are hostile to the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the church and actively campaign to deny us any rights, benefits or equality in the church.

They oppose the acceptance of anyone not prepared to suppress desire for intimacy nor willing to eradicate any feelings of love which might draw them into a relationship with a person of the same sex. The petitioners refuse to believe that gay is a natural identity or that anyone is born gay. They support ex-gay ministries and advocate the healing of same-sex sinfulness to make people ‘normal’, which in their belief system means heterosexual.

More of Colin Coward's brilliant post at changing attitude. 

Marriage Equality Acts Pass in NJ Senate & House, Action Needed to Overcome Veto

Integrity NYC-Metro responds to Marriage Equality progress in New Jersey


Both houses of the New Jersey Legislature passed versions of the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act this week. On Monday, Feb. 13th, the Senate voted 24-16 in favor, and today (Thursday) the Assembly followed with a vote of 42-33. 

Integrity NYC-Metro is extremely grateful to the Right Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of Newark, and the Right Rev. George Councell, Bishop of New Jersey, for their repeated visits to the State House and speaking out to the press. Thanks to all the clergy and laity who have dared to BELIEVE OUT LOUD about marriage equality as a Christian value.

“It's exciting to witness the progress toward marriage equality that is already happening in the state of New Jersey and I'm particularly heartened by the leadership on that front by our Episcopal bishops,” said the Rev. Jon M. Richardson, Integrity’s Vice-President, National Affairs and Priest-in Charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Jersey City. “ I join my voice with so many others in our state calling on Governor Christie to sign the bill.”

However, our work is not yet complete. Governor Christie has indicated he will veto these bills if they reach his desk, and that he prefers a public referendum on the matter. While the majority of New Jerseyans favored marriage equality in recent polls, we do not believe people's civil rights should be put to a vote. We need your voices added to ours in the effort to either build veto-proof support for this legislation or convince the governor to let it pass. We must ensure that a referendum, should it occur, would not put marriage equality in New Jersey further beyond reach.

We ask that you contact your assembly and senate representatives, friends, family members and those in your congregation and be willing to speak from your heart on why marriage equality matters to you. Too often Christians are assumed to be against LGBT equality: at this historic moment in our state's history, let's break that assumption and tell New Jersey that ALL love is of God, and the rights and responsibilities of a stable, recognized relationship belong to ALL couples. 

Obama's "Anglican solution" to the birth control controversy

Jon Meacham, an Episcopalian, suggests that Barack Obama has found an Anglican solution to the controversy controversy over whether Roman Catholic schools and hospitals would be required to provide employees insurance plans that covered contraception..summary

Liberal parishes seek oversight of liberal bishop in conservative diocese

Read about it here.

Anna Deavere Smith Plumbs Religion and Art at Grace Cathedral

Last Sunday, worshipers at the 11 a.m. service at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco heard something unusual: a sermon delivered by Anna Deavere Smith, the award-winning actress and playwright.

Clad in white robes and standing between two flickering candles, Smith teased the audience that there would be some interactive elements: “I grew up in the black church so it’s Black History Month and I’m going to need you to be responsive.”

One of her chief themes was the search for “you.”

“Show of hands. How many of you have searched on Google to see what others are saying about you?” she said, pausing to absorb the crowd’s laughter.

It was the first homily for Smith, 61, who is also the first artist-in-residence at this Episcopal cathedral on Nob Hill. She is working on a play, to be performed at the cathedral on Feb. 17 and 18, that will explore the meanings of grace. She has also taken part in a series of public conversations for the Sunday morning Forum program; this coming week she will join the composer John Adams onstage.

Source: The Bay Citizen (http://s.tt/15CSm)

Giles Fraser: As long as it is not a blessing . . .

Giles Fraser writes: "The point here is that, as the Chancellor has pointed out, nothing in the present restriction precludes clergy from conducting a service of prayer and dedication for those who have undertaken a civil partnership. “The position is clear,” Mr Seed says “. . . clergy may use a form of service they consider suitable in respect of civil partnership, provided that service does not amount to a service of blessing.”

There are those of us who would like this restriction lifted. And we would like to use the church as a venue in which to conduct civil par­tnerships. But it seems that there are various ways in which the clergy can respond pastorally and litur­gically to those who come to them want­ing a service after a civil part­nership." MORE

Why I signed the London clergy's petition for 'gay weddings' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2098809/Why-I-signed-London-clergys-petition-gay-weddings.html#ixzz1m6Z7FjTN

The Rev. George Pitcher writes: "am one of the 100 or so clergy from the Diocese of London who signed a petition to this week's Church of England "parliament", the General Synod, urging it to allow civil partnerships to be conducted in churches.

In many conservative quarters, this letter will generate outrage - not to mention wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of clothing, though we've probably moved on from a slaughter of the first-born.

Let me explain why I signed: It's a simple rationale and I have four points to make.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2098809/Why-I-signed-London-clergys-petition-gay-weddings.html#ixzz1m6ZAOu4L

Police tell LGBT youth, “It gets better”

The San Francisco Police Department has become the nation’s first law enforcement agency to assure lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual young people that yes, it does get better.

More than a dozen LGBT officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers appeared in the eight-and-a-half minute video released today on YouTube and the department’s website. It’s part of a nationwide effort by the non-profit Trevor Project to stem the rising number of teen suicides among the LGBT community. MORE

Some church leaders join battle against Uganda’s gay bill

[Ecumenical News International] Following the re-introduction in Uganda of a bill that would harshly punish homosexuality, gay rights activists, including some church leaders, are uniting through Twitter and Facebook to oppose it.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 was revived on Jan. 7 in parliament by David Bahati, the legislator who is its architect, prompting fresh protests worldwide, similar to those that led to its shelving in 2011.

“I am very disappointed with the return of the bill,” former Anglican Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo of West Buganda told ENInews in a telephone interview on Feb. 8 from Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

A significant change is the removal of the provision for the death penalty, but the new bill still increases to life imprisonment the punishment for homosexual activity, which is illegal in Uganda, with many faith leaders rejecting it as sinful and contrary to Scripture.

But Ssenyonjo criticized politicians for seeking popularity through the bill. He cautioned that it will not work in the long run. “As you can see, a lot needs to be done and we have to use all methods such as Twitter and Facebook,” said the bishop who ministers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people (LGBTs).

Action against the bill has been mounting on social networks including Twitter and Facebook. A petition seeking 5,000 signatures to urge President Yoweri Museveni and the Ugandan Parliament to reject the law is currently being signed by linking through the networks. It warns Uganda of isolation by the west over the bill.

In Kenya, Anglican priest Michael Kimindu, the African president of the Other Sheep, a gay rights group, said he will post tweets against it.

“It is un-African to suggest killing, whether it is because of sexual orientation or any other reason. We think this bill is very unfair. We are lobbying for its removal,” said Kimindu.

According to Jane Wochaya, communications official at Gay Trust Kenya, the social networks were being used to unite calls for protection of homosexual rights in Uganda.

“The bill goes against the U.N. declaration of human rights and against fundamental basic human rights,” she said.

LBGTs will not start new churches or mosques, according to her, but hoped for acceptance in the existing ones since the faiths stress love, acceptance and inclusion.

Uganda: Anti-homosexuality bill ‘a grave assault on human rights'

LONDON,  /African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Uganda's Parliament today re-introduced a proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill which Amnesty International considers a ‘grave assault on human rights’ that must be rejected.

Under the bill, gay and lesbian people in Uganda could face the death penalty for so-called ‘aggravated homosexuality’ ‘ a definition which includes consensual sexual conduct.

‘It's alarming and disappointing that Uganda's Parliament will once again consider the Anti-Homosexuality Bill,’ said Michelle Kagari, Deputy Africa Programme Director at Amnesty International.

‘If passed, it would represent a grave assault on the human rights of all Ugandans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.’

The bill introduces draconian provisions on top of Uganda's existing prohibition on consensual same-sex relations, which already violates international norms.

It aims to criminalize the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, compels HIV testing in some circumstances, and imposes life sentences for entering into a same-sex marriage. It would also be an offence for a person who is aware of any violations of the bill's wide-ranging provisions not to report them to the authorities within 24 hours.

The bill would significantly hamper the work of human rights defenders and others who find themselves in conflict with the law merely by carrying out their legitimate activities.

‘The knock-on effect of passing this bill would reach far beyond gay and lesbian people in Uganda, impeding the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders,’ said Michelle Kagari.

At the bill's reintroduction, the Speaker informed the House that the bill would not need to be considered again by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, raising fears that it could be passed into law imminently.

‘This deplorable bill would not only violate the rights of Ugandans to life, to non-discrimination, to equality before the law, and to privacy, but would sanction hatred, violence and the persecution of a group of people based on whom they love alone,' said Michelle Kagari.

Ugandan and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly called for the bill to be scrapped since it was first introduced in October 2009.

‘We strongly urge the Ugandan Parliament to reject this bill in its entirety. It must not legislate hate,’ said Michelle Kagari.

Maryland Nun: Most Catholics Disagree with Bishops on Gay Marriage

ter Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry spoke at the Maryland Marriage Equality clergy press conference last week, in support of the bill introduced in the state legislature to legalize gay marriage. "I speak on behalf of the majority of U.S. Catholics who favor legal marriage for same-gender couples," she said, adding that this position "flows from our own church's social justice teaching." WATCH:

'Facing the Bully' Special Edition of Weekly Reader's Current Health Magazine Focuses on Defusing Bullying

In-Depth Advice for Children, Parents and Teachers Available in Free Online Publication

With one in five high school students saying they've been bullied, this societal ill is reaching epidemic proportions. To address this crisis, Weekly Reader's Current Health magazines have assembled special issues – one for grades 4-7, the other for grades 7-12 -- highlighting practical solutions for parents, teachers, and children. Current Health is offering free online versions of the "Facing the Bully" issues atwww.weeklyreader.com/CHbullying. [An extensive teacher's guide is also available online for classroom use.]

"There are meaningful steps that everyone can take to combat bullying and we want to reach as broad an audience as possible with this important information," said Erin King, Current Health's Senior Editor.
A few of the surprising facts about bullying cited in the special issue include:

• The most powerful person in any bullying situation is often the bystander.
• Bullies are frequently popular with other children.
• Children most likely to be bullied are not the kids at the bottom of the social prestige ladder but actually those somewhere in the middle.

Additional articles define different forms of bullying, expose the myths surrounding cyberbullying, and outline ways to develop empathy in children and teens.  Current Health editors spoke with experts and students and compiled a variety of simple steps that children can take to begin to solve the problem such as:

• Speak up, stand up. "When one person stands up against the bullies, other people will stand up against them. Anyone could be the hero in the hallway," says New Jersey teen Ashley Craig, founder of Students Against Being Bullied — a group she started after being bullied herself.
• Acknowledge your own actions. Children should ask themselves: "Have I done or said something hurtful?" Thoughtless phrases such as "That's so gay" can hurt even when no harm is meant. If children have done or said something, it's never too late to apologize—and change that behavior.

Parents are encouraged to listen carefully to their children's comments about bullying and to take them seriously. Mothers and fathers should avoid making potentially hurtful comments about people, as children mimic adults. Parents can also help their children care about others by volunteering together at a nursing home or animal shelter, as empathy has been linked to lower levels of bullying.

ABOUT WEEKLY READER
Current Health is a monthly magazine published in two editions by Weekly Reader, publisher of quality, groundbreaking educational materials since 1902. Weekly Reader's unique digital products and 11 award-winning classroom magazines give teachers tools that help them achieve their goals while inspiring students and igniting a love of learning. Every year, Weekly Reader materials reach more than 150,000 teachers and 6 million students from Pre-K to grade 12. Weekly Reader is part of the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. For more information, visitwww.weeklyreader.com.

Uganda Lawmakers to Bring Anti-Homosexuality Bill to Floor of Parliament

According to this news report from Uganda’s NTV, the Parliament’s Business Committee met today and agreed to move the revivedAnti-Homosexuality Bill forward to the full house, possibly as early as tomorrow when the Ninth Parliament begins its third sitting following its Christmas break. There are reports that several lawmakers in Parliament are aggressively pushing for the bill’s passage as part of broader anger over the American and British announcements making nations’ protections of LGBT rights a component of foreign policy. More.

Bishop Marc responds to today’s Prop. 8 ruling

Written by the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus

Inspired by the Gospel as carried forward in our tradition, and with a courage that has kept us engaged in the moment with the embodiment of justice in succeeding generations, The Episcopal Church has been led by God’s Spirit (as we believe) to recognize the dignity and appertaining rights of all of God’s children.

Today we rejoice that civil society, represented by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, has upheld a lower court decision overturning the unjust California Proposition 8, regarding the legality of same-sex marriage in California.  I pray that if an appeal reaches the U.S. Supreme Court that our justices will show the same wisdom as the majority has shown in the 9th Circuit Court.

Further, although I have publicly advocated for an approach that would invite all couples seeking marriage in the Church, same-sex or heterosexual to first be married in a civil ceremony and then to receive a blessing in the Church, let me be clear that it is my hope that the General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Indianapolis in the summer of 2012 will continue to evolve marriage rites for all couples that will have the approval of the entire Church.

Let us all pray that we may be servants and agents of the Holy Spirit bending the arc of history towards the fullest expression of justice.

+Marc Andrus

The Anti-Defamation League Hails Court Decision Affirming Perry v. Brown

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - - - The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today hailed the Ninth Circuit court decision affirming Perry v. Brown, holding that California's 2008 amendment, known as "Prop 8" and which banned same-sex couples from marrying, is unconstitutional.  ADL issued the following statement: Today's decision is a momentous step forward for same-sex couples who seek the fundamental right to marry.  We are gratified that the court has found that there is no basis for singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license, and that such discrimination is unconstitutional.  As the court stated, "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.  The Constitution simply does not allow for 'laws of this sort.'" ADL stands committed to the principle of equal treatment for same-sex couples.  With this ruling, California can once again proudly demonstrate its commitment to the fight for individual liberty and freedom from discrimination for all. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Federal Appeals Court Says California Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional

  ACLU Hails Landmark Decision and Urges Efforts in Other States to Ensure Success on Appeal     SAN FRANCISCO ­– A federal appeals court today issued a historic decision upholding a lower court ruling that Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that excluded same-sex couples from marriage in the state, violates the U.S. Constitution.   The decision, unless appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, will clear the way for same-sex couples in California to marry once again. The American Civil Liberties Union, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal filed two friend-of-the-court briefs in the case supporting the argument that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.   “This is a wonderful victory not only for same-sex couples, but for everyone who values fairness and dignity for all families,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “Same-sex couples want to marry for the same reasons others do – to make a solemn commitment to their partners and to protect their families. It’s cruel for any state to bar them from marriage, and today’s decision confirms that it’s unconstitutional as well.”   Since the Proposition 8 case was filed in 2009, an increasing number of states have embraced protections for same-sex relationships, and a majority of the American public has come to support the freedom to marry. Currently, six states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.    “The best thing we can do to support this case is to continue working for greater protections for LGBT families in as many additional states as possible,” said Elizabeth Gill, staff attorney for the LGBT Project at the ACLU of Northern California. “We’ll celebrate this ruling, and then put that momentum toward important battles we’re facing this year.”   The ACLU is working in coalition with other organizations to secure the freedom to marry across the country, including passing marriage bills in Maryland and Washington state, passing a voter initiative in Maine that would allow same-sex couples to marry and defeating proposed anti-marriage amendments in Minnesota and North Carolina. The ACLU is also seeking domestic partnership protections in Montana, Missouri and Alaska.   

Video Link on Court Decision

In a split decision, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the state's Proposition 8 "works a meaningful harm to gays and lesbians" by denying their right to civil marriage in violation of the 14th Amendment. Supporters of same-sex marriages cheered the decision when it was announced outside the courthouse Tuesday morning. GET THE FULL STORY AND WATCH VIDEO >> http://pridenation.com/magazine/?p=2037

9th Circut Affirms Biblical Truth: We Are All Equal In Eyes of God

The ancient Biblical truth that all men and women are equal as children of God is affirmed in today’s decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. By a 2 to 1 margin the three-judge panel affirmed that same gender couples have an equal right to share in eth responsibilities and merits of marriage. Now we look ahead to the General Convention where we hope of the Episcopal Church will establish a service for blessing the marriage of same gender couples. Three of four federal judges have ruled Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. We hope and pray a similar majority of justices will concur if the case is appealed to the full 9th Circuit court or the US Supreme Court. Today’s decision makes clear that state and federal law cannot damage people solely on the basis of bias.    "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples," said Judge Stephen Reinhardt in the majority opinion. "The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort." Reinhardt, joined by Judge Michael Hawkins, pointedly refrained from deciding whether gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry. Instead, he said Prop. 8 violated the Constitution because it was rooted in moral disproval of gays and lesbians and withdrew rights they had won less than six months earlier, when the state Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. Their narrowly framed ruling would apply only to California, if upheld on appeal.Reinhardt relied on a 1996 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Colorado initiative prohibiting cities and counties from enacting civil rights laws protecting gays and lesbians. The high court, in an opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy, said a state violates equal protection when it strips rights from a vulnerable minority for no apparent reason other than moral disapproval. Prop. 8 falls into the same category, Reinhardt said.

INTEGRITY CALLS ON SIX CALIFORNIA BISHOPS TO EXTEND GENEROUS PASTORAL RESPONSE IN RESPONSE TO PROP 8 DECISION

Today, Integrity USA celebrates a giant step toward justice with the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court that California’s Proposition 8, which denied marriage to same-gender couples, is unconstitutional.   "What wonderful news!", said The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, President of Integrity. "Since 1888 the Supreme Court has ruled 14 times that marriage is a basic civil right, but again and again it has been denied to loving, faithful gay or lesbian couples. We can rejoice that in California, our right to equal treatment under the law has been upheld and our marriages are once again recognized. This will be an encouragement to all those fighting this battle in their own states." Rev. Harry Knox, Interim Executive Director of Integrity added, "The Ninth Circuit’s decision affirms same-sex couples’ freedom to commit to care for each other for a lifetime. Thank God the court recognized government should never limit our freedom nor deny our love. Today’s ruling is an important one. We wait to see whether this is the last word or whether our opponents will take their case on to Supreme Court." Both Hall and Knox issued a call to action to the Episcopal Church in the state of California: "Integrity calls upon the bishops of the six California dioceses to extend a generous pastoral response to lesbian and gay couples so that our legal rights can be celebrated in our churches and our marriages blessed by the church in the same manner afforded to our straight friends and family. This is an enormously important symbol of the Episcopal Church’s true willingness to welcome all people even those of us who are LGBT and to extend all the sacraments to all the baptized.We hope that California citizens will soon be able to marry the person they love. "While this is a huge victory in the battle for marriage equality, this fight is far from over. Same-sex married couples still face federal discrimination against their marriages because of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Integrity vows to continue to fight for marriage equality both within and outside of the church. We will not stop until we can claim the promise that all really means ALL."

No Anglican Covenant Coalition ANNOUNCES PROFESSOR DIARMAID MacCULLOCH AS PATRON

LONDON – The Revd Dr Lesley Crawley, Moderator of the No Anglican Covenant Coalition, has announced the appointment of Oxford University Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, DD, as a Patron of the Coalition. Professor MacCulloch joins the Rt Revd Dr John Saxbee and the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, who were appointed last June.

“I’m thrilled that Professor MacCulloch has agreed to accept this appointment,” said Crawley.  “As one of the acknowledged experts in the English Reformation, he has a very clear understanding of how the centralization of authority in the proposed Anglican Covenant is at odds with fundamental Anglican ecclesiology.”

“Anglicanism was born in the Reformation’s rejection of an unwarranted and unhistorical over-centralization of ecclesiastical authority,” according to Professor MacCulloch.  “This pernicious proposal of a Covenant (an unhappy choice of name if you know anything about our Church’s history) ignores the Anglican Communion’s past, and seeks to gridlock the Anglican present at the cost of a truly Anglican future.”

MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church, and Fellow of St Cross College, in the University of Oxford.  He is also a Fellow of the British Academy and co-edits the Journal of Ecclesiastical History.  He has written several books on Christian history and the English Reformation, including the award winning Thomas Cranmer: A Life and The Reformation: A History.  His most recent book, A History of Christianity: the First Three Thousand Years, won the 2011 Cundill Prize.  He devised and presented the BBC television series based on that work.  MacCulloch received a knighthood earlier this year for his services to scholarship.

9th Circut Appeals Court to Issue Prop 8 Decision TOMORROW!

Prop 8 Decision Alert Overview The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals anticipates releasing an opinion by 10 AM tomorrow (Tuesday February 7, 2012) in the appeal that seeks to overturn Judge Walkers rejection of Proposition 8.  A summary of the opinion prepared by court staff and the decision itself will be posted online.  Please join us for rallies: Please join same-sex couples, LGBTIQ people, friends, family, and clergy for 2 events on the day that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition 8. The Ninth Circuit has completed all hearings and briefing in the case and could rule at any time. FIRST RALLY @9:45 AM:  Gather on the steps of the Ninth Circuit Federal Courthouse, 95 7th Street (at Mission), San Francisco, CA 94103-1518 to receive the ruling (anticipated at 10:00 AM). Afterwards, we will proceed to San Francisco City Hall, where clergy will be available to bless couples who are not able to marry because of Prop. 8. (Even if the Ninth Circuit rules in our favor, it is highly likely that there will be a stay on the decision, meaning no marriages could take place immediately.) SECOND RALLY @5:00 PM:  Gather at Jane Warner Plaza, on 17th street across from the MUNI station on Castro and Market, San Francisco, CA 94114 for a community rally. We will either celebrate or protest the decision, and either way, rededicate our resolve to achieve full federal equality nationwide. If you are able to attend one or both of these rallies, please send an email to: Rev Dawn Roginski Associate Coordinator Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations (510) 849-8208 droginski at clgs.org

One of the best welcome videos we've ever seen - from Ft. Worth, TEXAS

"Come and see:" an invitation that Oasis California churches extend to all of us. This video from Ft. Worth can  serve as an introduction to the Episcoapl Church in general and many of our parishes around the Bay Area.