Clergy Observe Freedom to Marry Week at Kol Ami

Clergy of all denominations and all sexual orientations gathered at Congregation Kol Ami on Wednesday, February 11th to observe Freedom to Marry Week which focuses on supporting the rights of gay men and lesbians to legally marry. To view the service in its entirety, click on www.outofthecloset.tv; then click on the red banner, National Marriage Week 2004; and then on Breaking: Congregations Unite.

This gathering included an interfaith prayer service in support of the equal rights of gay men and lesbians to the institution of marriage. Rev. Daniel Smith of West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, and co-convener of this gathering composed the liturgy for the morning. Cantor Mark Saltzman of Congregation Kol Ami provided the musical component. Drawing on themes of Justice and love, fellow clergy also heard from Rabbi Allen I Freehling, Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission. Rabbi Freehling has been a long time advocate for justice and equality for gay men and lesbians. Rabbi Freehling is the Rabbi Emeritus of University Synagogue.

Along with Rabbi Freehling, others addressing the clergy from many denominations were Mr. Jon Davidson, Senior Staff attorney at Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Mr. Davidson spoke on the freedom to marry movement, the recent Massachusetts same-sex marriage decision and the pending Federal Amendment to the United States Constitution to ban marriage of gay men and lesbians.

Dr. Sylvia Rhue, filmmaker, lesbian activist, and director of the California Freedom to Marry Coalition, which is a state-wide coalition of organizations working on the freedom to marry in California also addressed the group. The Coalition partners include ACLU, The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, California NOW, California Council of Churches, Lambda Legal, PFLAG and National Center for Lesbian Rights and many others.

Rabbi Denise L. Eger, co-convener and chair, of the Voice of My People Foundation, who was a sponsor of the event, said, “In my denomination of Reform Judaism, gay men and lesbians are encouraged to make lasting commitments and family. Every time the government forbids gay marriage or attempts to stamp out equality for gay men and lesbians—it is trampling upon my religious convictions and the freedom to practice my religion. I think the Constitution expressly addresses this issue.”

Freedom to Marry Week is organized throughout the United States to bring public education and awareness about the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

To view the service in its entirety, click on www.outofthecloset.tv; then click on the red banner, National Marriage Week 2004; and then on Breaking: Congregations Unite.

Posted by Lee at February 13, 2004 10:51 AM