Quakers to allow gay marriage
August 3rd, 2009
The Quaker church has announced it will perform marriage ceremonies for gay couples.
The church plans to lobby the UK government to allow Quakers registrars to conduct legally-binding marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
Under current laws gay couples can have civil partnerships, but the partnerships are not recognised as marriage and registrations cannot take place in religious settings.
On Friday 1200 Quaker members gave their unanimous approval to treat gay partnerships in the same way as heterosexual partnerships.
The church, also knownas The Religious Society of Friends, already performs civil partnership blessings and commitment ceremonies for gay couples.
Michael Hutchinson, of Quakers in Britain, said: “Many of our meetings have told us that there are homosexual couples who consider themselves to be married and believe this is as much a testimony of divine grace as a heterosexual marriage. They miss the public recognition of this in a religious ceremony.”
Quaker spokesperson Anne Van Staveren denied that the move was intended as a way to encourage more people to join the Quaker faith.
“Anyone is welcome to attend a Quaker meeting but to become a Quaker, to understand the ways we live and worship, takes a little longer,” said Staveren.
“Marriage ceremonies are for Quakers, but we are open to people to come and belong.”
Peter Tatchell of LGBT equality group OutRage! has called the Quakers’ decision “honourable, courageous and trail-blazing.”
Well I just want to say YES! At last! The Quakers have paved the way forward as pioneers for equality. As an often considered old fashioned and primitive sect/group/organisation doesn’t it just show that what is really important is the thought process behind the actions and this proves to me that religion does not always have to be blinded by tradition and non acceptance but can be rational and worthwhile, even if not for me. I like the fact that time for the Quakers moves with the times.
meagain ∼ August 3rd, 2009 10:40 pm