Homophobia Isn't A Family Value

The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund has gone to prove that hate isn't a family value.

Yes, Iowa went and legalized same sex marriage--though, there is still opposition, and the folks that say that they're all for "Family Values" except when it has to do with icky people are still gearing up to try to get up a Constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage--and on Februrary 16th, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund sent out this letter in support of the state upholding the rights of its citizens.  

I especially think that this is important, because too many times we hear people of faith screaming about how terrible it is for folks to love one another, and use twists and turns of Biblical logic to try to support their claims, and worse, pass it off as if they are the ONLY folks of faith who count.  

This interfaith effort shows that not all faiths consider the right to marry to be a matter of strict dogma. It also underscores my own belief that we should oppose efforts to try to get our government to interfere in matters of marriage on what are essentially grounds of dogma, and interceding on the behalf of only certain ministries and congregations, which is a violation of the 1st Amendment, and one of our oldest principles of reasoned and fair governance. The move to use our government to restrict rights of citizens, especially under the aegis of protecting only some ministries, is in direct contravention of our legal tradition as well.  

If folks want to keep members of their own ministries or congregations, then they certainly have the right to refuse to perform those ceremonies, and I fully support their right to practice their religion in that fashion. It is entirely in each ministry's purview to approve or disapprove of the rites and services that they provide, and at no time should a ministry be forced to perform a ceremony that it does not believe to be valid. Which is why Baptists aren't required to perform a bris. Unfortunately, there are those who think that Baptists should have wide approval of what ceremonies and teachings that other churches and ministries subscribe to. And therein lies the rub.  

While the matter of equality under the law was addressed by the Iowa Supreme Court in this matter, I hope that we can strike down the arguments against same sex marriage with a much stronger case--and that is simply, that opposition to same sex marriage on what amounts to differences in theological dogma means that no law proscribing same sex marriage can be ratified in any state that ratified the US Constitution. Period.  


You don't want to have a gay marriage? Don't have one. But like my Grandma used to say: Don't like? Don't eat it. But never mind what anyone else has on their plates...  

Here's the letter that was sent, and good on them.  

February 16, 2010  

Dear Senators and Representatives,  

As clergy representing a broad spectrum of theological beliefs, we join together to state our public support of civil marriage equality for same-gender couples and our opposition to any current or future legislation diminishing the marriage rights rightfully given by Iowa’s Supreme Court. We are compelled by our deepest beliefs to stand for fairness in our common civic life. We oppose the use of sacred texts and religious traditions to deny equal protection and responsibility under the law for gay and lesbian couples.  

From a religious perspective, marriage is about a couple entering into a holy covenant with their God and making a long-term commitment to share life’s joys and sorrows. Moreover, as many faith traditions affirm, where there is love, the sacred is in our midst. This belief is the same for couples comprised of a man and a woman, two women, or two men.  

As such, a marriage based in love and commitment must be honored and supported. Civilly, marriage is commonly valued in society because it creates stable, committed relationships; provides a means to protect and be responsible for each other; and nurtures the individual, the couple, and children. All families must be supported in building stable, empowering, and respectful relationships. Marriage equality is a means to strengthen families and is especially beneficial to children who are raised by gay and lesbian couples.  

We affirm freedom of conscience in this matter. Marriage equality honors the religious convictions of those communities and clergy who officiate at, and bless, same-gender marriages. We recognize the state does not and should not require clergy or religious traditions who disagree with same-gender marriage to officiate at, or bless, the ceremonies of gay and lesbian couples. The state must respect the convictions of all religious groups and individuals, while also allowing the fundamental right of marriage to be granted fairly to all people.  

As clergy, we stand together in support of civil marriage equality for ALL families. We ask for your support of civil marriage equality and ask that you oppose any resolution or attempt to diminish the marriage rights of Iowa’s families.  

Bishop Alan Scarfe; Bishop; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa  
Rev. Dr. Rich Pleva; Iowa Conference Minister; United Church of Christ  
Rev. Dr. Richard Guentert; Former Regional Minister of the Upper Midwest Region (retired); Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)  
Rev. Charles Ager; ELCA (retired); Strawberry Point  
The Rev. Alexander A. Aiton, Jr.; Rector, St. John’s by the Campus Episcopal Church & Student Center; Ames  
The Rev. Dr. James Altenbaumer; United Church of Christ; Cedar Falls  
Rev. Nancy L. Anderson; Zion United Church of Christ; Hubbard  
Rev. Michael N. Armstrong; Senior Minister; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Davenport  
Rev. Paul S. Bengtson; ELCA (retired); Storm Lake  
Rev. Steve Bibb; First United Methodist Church; Fort Dodge  
Rev. Anna Blaedel; United Methodist Church; Osage  
Rev. Ramona S. Bouzard; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Waverly  
Rev. Dr. Walter C. Bouzard; Waverly  
Rev. Stephen L. Bowie; Member, Presbytery of Des Moines; Bloomfield  
Pastor Brad Braley; First Presbyterian Church; Cedar Falls  
Rev. Kenneth E. Briggs, Jr.; Chaplain, Lt. Col, USAF (retired); Altoona Christian Church (DOC); Altoona  
The Rev. Jeanette Brodersen; Associate Minister, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Barbara Bullock; United Church of Christ (retired); Ankeny  
The Rev. Dr. Sean D. Burke; Luther College; Decorah  
Rev. Christopher C. Burtnett; Schleswig United Church of Christ; Schleswig  
Rev. Linda M. Butler; Collegiate United Methodist & Wesley Foundation; Ames  
The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Butterfield; Urbandale United Church of Christ; Urbandale  
Rev. Eva S. Cameron; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County; Cedar Falls  
Reverend Tom Capo; Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist; Cedar Rapids  
Pastor John Chaplin; Licensed Pastor; Central Association of the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Kathleen Clark; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines  
Priest Richard Cleaver; Saints Ephrem and Macrina Mission, Orthodox-Catholic Church of America; Grinnell  
Rev. Dr. David Cline; Evangelical Church in America; Polk City  
Rev. Milton Cole Duvall; Episcopalian; West Des Moines  
Rev. Elizabeth Colton; United Church of Christ; Oskaloosa  
Dr. Rev. Robert Cook; Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. William Cotton; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Robert S. Crandall; Executive Director; Bidwell Riverside Center; Des Moines  
Pastor Michael Dack; United Church of Christ; Newton  
Rev. D. Mark Davis; Pastor, Heartland Presbyterian Church; Clive  
Rev. Pamela S. Deeds; Walnut Hills United Methodist Church/ Wesley UMC’s; Des Moines  
Rev. Dennis Dickman; ELCA (retired); Waverly  
Rev. Dr. Tim Diebel; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines  
Rev. Elizabeth Dilley; First Congregational United Church of Christ; Red Oak  
Rev. Barbara Dinnen; United Methodist Church; Des Moines  
The Rev. Maureen Doherty; Cedar Valley Episcopal Campus Ministry; Cedar Falls  
Sondra Eddings; Minister; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines  
Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank; Tifereth Israel Synagogue; Des Moines  
Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames; Ames  
Rev. Peg Esperenza; Church of the Holy Spirit, MCC; Des Moines  
Rev. Faith Ferre’; Minister of Discipleship, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Jeffrey E. Filkins; Trinity United Church of Christ; Hartley  
The Rev. Travis M. Fisher; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Davenport  
Rev. Dr. Barbara Gaddis; Collegiate Presbyterian Church; Ames  
The Rev. Andrew G. Gangle; Peace Lutheran Church; Adel  
Rev. Fred R. Gee; retired, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Des Moines  
Reverend Tom Gehlsen; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Des Moines  
Rev. Randall E. Gehring; Bethesda Lutheran Church, ELCA; Ames  
Rev. Jaymee Glenn-Burns; Field Outreach Minister, United Methodist Church; Cedar Falls  
Rev. David Glenn-Burns; Wesley Foundation at UNI; Cedar Falls  
Rabbi Guy Greene; Congregation Beth Shalom; Sioux City  
The Rev. John H. Greve; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville  
Rev. Chet Guinn; Methodist Federation for Social Action; Des Moines  
Rev. Elizabeth Gull; Universal Life Church; Nevada  
Rev. Susan Guy; United Methodist; Urbandale  
Pastor John Hagberg; St. Mark Lutheran Church; Sioux City  
The Rev. Jennifer L. Hall; Chaplain, Iowa Health; Metropolitan Community Churches; Des Moines  
Rev. Dawn Halstead; Chaplain, Hospice of Central Iowa; Des Moines  
Rev. Bob Hamilton; United Church of Christ (retired); Davenport  
Rev. George Hanusa; ELCA (retired); Windsor Heights  
Rev. Richard W. Harbart; United Church of Christ; Clive  
The Rev. John Harper; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville  
Rev. Stephanie Haskins; Associate Minister, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Nicole Havelka; Iowa Conference United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Mark Haverland; United Methodist Church; Ankeny  
Rev. Dave Heinze; Campus Minister; Graceland University; Lamoni  
Rev. Rich Hendricks; Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities; Davenport  
Rev. Dan Herndon; United Methodist Church (retired); Waterloo  
Dr. Susan E. Hill; Associate Professor of Religion, UNI; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County; Waterloo  
The Rev. Holly Horn, PhD; Tiffin  
Rev. Margaret Hutchens; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Charles City  
Rev. Gerald Iverson; Associate in Ministry; ELCA (retired); Sioux City  
Pastor Steven M. Jacobsen; First Lutheran Church; Decorah  
Rev. Carlos Jayne; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Eric Johnson; Reformed Church in America; Des Moines  
Reverend Patricia Johnson; Episcopal Deacon; Sioux City  
Rev. Paul A. Johnson; United Church of Christ – Congregational; Ames  
The Rev. Scott A. Johnson; Lutheran Campus Ministry at Iowa State University (ELCA); Ames  
Rev. R. Paul Johnston; Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA); Sioux City  
The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; Waverly  
Rabbi Henry Jay Karp; Temple Emanuel; Davenport Rabbi David Kaufman; Temple B’Nai Jeshurun; Des Moines  
Rev. Robert Keefer, PhD; Presbyterian; Clarinda  
Rev. Naomi Kirstein; Wellspring Community Church; Des Moines  
Rev. Bruce Kittle; Faith United Church of Christ; Iowa City  
The Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans; Wartburg College; Waverly  
Pastor Jim Klosterboer; Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church; Elkader  
Rev. C. Eugene Koth; United Methodist Church (retired); Clive  
Rev. Mark W. Kukkonen; Intentional Interim Pastor; St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church; Cedar Rapids  
Rev. Carmen Lampe-Zeitler; United Methodist Church; Des Moines  
Rev. Martha E. Lang; Deacon; Trinity Episcopal Church; Muscatine  
The Rev. Torey Lightcap; Rector, St. Thomas Episcopal Church; Sioux City  
Rev. Kathleen Love, D.D.; Interfaith Minister; The Wedding Chapel; Des Moines  
Rev. James Love, D.D.; Interfaith Minister; The Wedding Chapel; Des Moines  
The Rev. William H. Lovin; Congregational United Church of Christ; Iowa City  
Rev. Ted Lyddon Hatten; Wesley Foundation, Drake University; Indianola  
Rev. Whit Malone; Collegiate Presbyterian Church; Ames  
Rev. Mary Beth Mardis-LeCroy; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Matthew J. Mardis-LeCroy; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Pastor Sam Massey; First Presbyterian Church; Iowa City  
Rev. Gene Matthews; United Methodist Church (retired missionary)  
The Reverend Benjamin Maucere; Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City; Iowa City  
The Rev. Jean McCarthy; Rector; Episcopalian; Des Moines  
The Rev. Diane McClanahan; Trinity United Methodist Church; Des Moines  
Rev. James I. Meadows, Jr.; First Congregational United Church of Christ; Fort Dodge  
The Rev. Russell Melby; Iowa Director, Church World Service/CROP; ELCA clergy; Rev. Fritz Mellberg; United Church of Christ; Hiawatha  
John Miller; Commissioned Lay Minister; Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County; Cedar Falls  
Reverend Roger Mohr; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Burlington  
Rev. Mary Moore; Unitarian Church of Davenport; Davenport  
Rev. Allen Mothershed; United Church of Christ; Davenport  
Rev. Katherine Mulhern; Edwards Congregational United Church of Christ; Davenport  
Rev. Amy E. E. Murray, BCC; Urbandale United Church of Christ; Urbandale Pastor Vernon H. Naffier; Faculty, GrandView University; ELCA; Ankeny  
Rev. Peter T. Nash, PhD; Professor of Religion & Liberal Studies; Wartburg College; Waverly  
Rev. Gus Nelson; Presbyterian (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Barbara Nish; Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.; Des Moines  
Rev. Patricia Adams Oberbillig; Minister of Pastoral Care (retired), Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Delwyn L. Olivier; Augustana Lutheran Church; Sioux City  
Rev. Ronald Osborne; Des Moines  
Rev. James R. Pemble; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines  
The Rev. Doug Peters; Senior Minister, Walnut Hills United Methodist Church; Urbandale  
Rev. Oren Peterson; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Ronald D. Petrak; United Methodist Church (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Julie M. Poore; United Methodist Church; Granger  
Rev. Charles M. Pope; Rector; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Grinnell  
Rabbi Jeff Portman; Agudas Achim Congregation; Iowa City  
Rev. Robert Price; retired; Newton  
The Rev. Catherine Quehl-Engel; Episcopalian; Mt. Vernon  
The Rev. Julia Rendon; Crossroads United Church of Christ; Indianola  
The Rev. Charity Rowley; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Iowa City  
Rev. Nancy Ruby; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton; Clinton  
The Reverend Dr. David R. Ruhe; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Janette Scott; Presbyterian; Des Moines  
Rev. Michael J. Schmidt; Christ Lutheran/St. Peter; LeMars  
Pastor Victoria Shepherd; Denver  
Rev. Charlotte Shivvers; Unitarian Universalist (retired); Knoxville  
Rev. Deanna Shorb; College Chaplain; Grinnell  
Rev. Diana Jacobs Sickles; ELCA (retired); Des Moines  
Rev. Gary Sneller; First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Ottumwa  
Rev. Dr. Larry W. Sonner, D.Min.; United Methodist Church (retired); Urbandale  
Rev. Ron Spears; Retired clergy; Waterloo  
Pastor Sarah Stadler-Ammon; Denver  
Rev. Jerry Stevenson; Welsh Congregational Church UCC; Iowa City  
Rev. William Steward; Grace United Methodist Church; Des Moines  
Rev. Jane Stewart; New Song Episcopal Church; Coralville  
Rev. Gayle V. Strickler, Jr.; Adjunct Minister for Community Concerns, Urbandale United Church of Christ; Urbandale  
Rev. Mark Stringer; First Unitarian Church; Des Moines  
Rev. Cheryl R. Thomas; Calvary Baptist Church; Des Moines  
The Rev. Rachel Thorson Mithelman; St. John’s Lutheran Church; Des Moines  
Rev. Dr. James L. Wallace; Central Presbyterian Church; Des Moines  
Pastor Barbara Weier; Zion United Church of Christ; Hartley  
Rev. Dr. Susan K. Weier; United Church of Christ; Grinnell  
Pastor Kenneth C. Wells; Licensed Lay Pastor; First Congregational UCC Church; Onawa  
Pastor Mary A. Wells; Licensed Lay Pastor; First Congregational UCC Church; Onawa  
Rev. Jane A. Willan; Zion United Church of Christ; Burlington  
Rev. Dr. Dana Wimmer; Waterloo First United Methodist Church; Waterloo  
Rev. Angie Witmer; Minister to Young Adults & Youth, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Des Moines  
Rev. Beverly J. Wolff; St. John Lutheran Church; Cushing  
The Rev. Jean Wollenberg; Executive Director/Chaplain, Hospice of Washington County; Washington  
Rev. Bob Wollenberg; United Presbyterian Church; Washington  
Rev. Mark A. Young; Wesley United Methodist Church; Ottumwa

Crossposted to the Motley Moose