Don't Lie, Don't Hide, Don't Discriminate

I had lunch with some new clergywomen friends yesterday and the subject came up regarding performing civil ceremonies for gay couples.

In the United Church of Christ this was never a problem because the denomination is Open and Affirming of all persons without respect to race, creed, color, or sexual orientation.

These clergy gals are Presbyterian and the PCUSA is not open...nor are any of the other Protestant Denominations except certain districts of the Episcopal Church. This matters tremendously for three reasons:

What are clergy to do when, as states legalize same sex unions, couples come looking for "a wedding" blessed by the church. Can clergy be encouraged to FOLLOW THE LAW of the state?

In the pews sit good-hearted people: parents of gay children, teens questioning their emerging sexuality, closeted Christians looking for a community of faith. Don't they deserve to be a part of the community as well?

And finally, what are talented, committed Gay Christians, called to ministry to do when their denominations won't ordain them as openly gay persons? Is there a religious version of Don't Ask Don't Tell? Would any one want to live like that? All of the clergy women sitting around the table personally knew of talented, committed clergypersons living such closeted lives in congregations who "just pretend not to know".

In a parallel universe the United States Military is dealing with the same issue. Obama promised to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. He has not. It is still illegal to be openly gay and serve our country in the military. Our commander-in-chief has had to follow suit by not stopping the firing of service men and women who come out.

The most recent and poignant example of what a waste this is comes to us in the story of Dan Choi, Iraq Veteran, West Point Grad and Arabic Language expert. Watch him here talk about his intentions to repeal his discharge. At the 5:30 mark in the interview he talks about it being time for the military to move from Don't Ask, Don't Tell to Don't Lie, Don't Hide, Don't Discriminate.

Well said.

I would love to see the The Church, especially progressive minded Protestants follow suit.

Know Hope.