Vote Against North Carolina’s Marriage Amendment
By Jimmy Creech, Author and Writer
“Until the Christian Church ends its spiritual violence against gay people, we who believe in Jesus’ vision of an inclusive, just and compassionate community must strive relentlessly to make it a reality in our lives and in the world. We must be disciples of compassion and justice, not Pharisees loyal to Church laws that serve fear, ignorance and institutional survival. We cannot and must not wait for the Church’s permission and approval before doing what is right, moral and just. People of conscience, committed to the vision of Jesus, must continue to actively and defiantly honor and bless the inherent dignity and goodness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their committed relationships regardless of the personal and institutional costs.”*
The constitutional amendment on the ballot in North Carolina’s May 8th primary election narrowly defines marriage between one man and one woman as “the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” This is a malicious attack on the dignity and integrity of lesbian and gay couples and the families they create. Vote Against the amendment and help end spiritual and legal violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Whether or not we succeed in defeating the amendment, we must commit ourselves to achieving marriage equality for same-gender couples to help bring Jesus’ vision of an inclusive, just and compassionate community into reality.
*Adam’s Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gays, by Jimmy Creech (Duke University Press; 2011).
Watch Jimmy Creech and his wife Chris Weedy as they stand up for marriage equality. This short video was shot by Working Films’ Andy Myers and Family Tree Productions’ Tab Ballis and featured in the Huffington Post. Join the “My Marriage Is Not Threatened By Gay Marriage” Facebook group here:
_________________
Image courtesy of Jimmy Creech and Chris Weedy