Clergy Call: ready to say goodbye to Prop 8?

UPDATE & CLERGY CALL: CALLING CLERGY TO JOIN US WHEN/IF WE GET THE NEWS THAT PROP 8 IS NO MORE!

From :  Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry

TIME: 5PM to 9PM
PLACE: Castro & Market, San Francisco (Harvey Milk Plaza)
DATE: On the day the Supreme Court announces its decision if it declines to hear further appeals of the Prop. 8 case.
WHO: The community is invited, BUT we want religious leaders to especially be present with their clerical wear on stage, ready for media interviews and ready to symbolically marry couples that day.  If you do not want to give an interview or marry couples, you do not have to.  Please join us to show solidarity for the end of this long struggle in our state.


What day will that be?  

Here’s how it works:
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether or not to hear the Proposition 8 case.  As soon as Monday, October 1, the Court could decide NOT to hear the case.  IF that happens, Prop 8 will finally be over and the freedom to marry for all will be restored in California.  Marriages for same-sex couples would begin very soon after the Court’s decision (although the exact timing is not known).

Of course, the Supreme Court could also decide to hear the case, which would mean that a final decision on Prop 8 would likely not come until June 21013.  BUT, if the Supreme Court decides NOT to hear the case, the Court will make an announcement at approximately 6:30 am Pacific Time.  ON THAT DAY, we will celebrate the return of marriage equality in our state!

The end of Prop 8 and the return of marriage equality in California is a HUGE victory for us all and an inspiration for us to re-energize our efforts to achieve full equality nationwide!

There are a couple of requests I would like to ask of you –
1) Share this email message with other leaders and congregants so they are aware of this plan of action.

2) Reply to this email if you are able to be present and/or would like to participate in marrying couples. I will then send to you talking points and further details so you will be prepared.

3) If you know of couples who are not currently legally married, but would like to be, please let me know who they are.  I would then like to contact them to see if they would be willing to interviewed by media.  If you would like to marry the couple, also let me know so that the media can capture your symbolic ceremony.

4) Plan to participate in our public witness campaign called “Breakthrough to Love”.  We are encouraging congregations throughout California to pledge to either preach or teach on LGBT equality (marriage, anti-bullying, inclusion/welcome in our worship, etc.) the weekend of February 8 – 10.  Sign up to pledge at http://breakthroughtolove.org/

5) Lastly, WHEN marriage is restored in California, we will need a team of religious leaders of various traditions who would be willing to participate in a public education campaign geared towards clergy who will undoubtedly have a difficult time with this decision and need some guidance.


Roland

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Rev. Roland Stringfellow
Director of Ministerial Outreach
Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry
Pacific School of Religion
1798 Scenic Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94709