California Conservative Rabbis Think Same Sex Marriage is Good
Let’s start by getting something straight: It’s about Marriage equality, not some special same-sex marriage.
Now, on to the story:
The Jewish Daly Forward is reporting that more than a dozen Conservative Rabbis that previously would not sign a statement supporting equal rights for LGBTQ civil marriages, have now signed. The change is reportedly due to the movement’s recent decision to allow for Gay and Lesbian clergy and same-sex marriage.
This is, of course, a good thing. But the sad part is in this statement by Rabbi Denise Eger, of the reform Gay and Lesbian shul in West Hollywood, Kol Ami:
“Conservative rabbis might have been privately supportive of same-sex marriage, but they hadn’t been willing to step out.”
It’s unfortunate enough that these rabbi’s didn’t see the light before the decision, but such is the process of learning and growth. But the idea that they DID see the light, but didn’t speak up because of the Conservative Movement, is just sad. To be a leader is to step up - and all we’re talking about is signing a letter.
Read the article in the forward here.
If your Rabbi or Cantor did sign the agreement. Thank them. Whether they just signed now or in 2005, show them your support for their leadership. And if they didn’t sign, ask them why not - and then convince them otherwise.
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No, it’s not “marriage equality.” Gays have had the equal right to marry since Walt Whitman. No gay man or lesbian has ever been prevented from marrying because of his or her sexual orientation. I know many happily married gays and lesbians. I’m as queer as a three dollar bill, and I plan to marry some day.
It’s just that gays and lesbians do not have the right to redefine marriage to match their minority viewpoint about what marriage is. If they did have that right, why wouldn’t I have the right to re-re-define marriage to match my majority viewpoint about what marriage is? If everyone gets the equal right to redefine marriage to match their own ideas about matrimony, then the only fair way to determine what marriage is would be to go with the majority, which would be man-woman marriage.
Visit my Web site http://www.GaysDefendMarriage.com for more non-homophobic reasons to defend marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Comment by David Benkof — June 1, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
As a point of fact, same sex couples cannot be legally married in the US except in Massachusetts and now California. Even if a couple is married in those states, however, the Federal Government does not recognize the marriages.
The marriage equality movement is simply about allowing any two adult citizens the right to marry each other, without requiring them to be of different sexes.
Comment by Gevalt — June 3, 2008 @ 9:23 am