Clergy Call to participate in the Valentine's Day Marriage Action

Join us in Clergy Call to participate in the

Valentine's Day Marriage Action

12:00 noon on Monday, February 14

(Valentine's Day)

at San Francisco's City Hall.

Dear Oasis Clergy,

The Coalition of Welcoming Congregations will be co-sponsoring Marriage Equality USA's Valentine's Day Request Marriage Action (event website here).

If you are planning your own Valentine's Day action for your community outside of San Francisco, you may post your information on the website.

The Coalition/Marriage Equality event will be at 12:00 noon on Monday, February 14 (Valentine's Day) at San Francisco's City Hall.

This hour-long event will begin with words from elected officials, community leaders, choirs singing, straight allies and same-sex couples seeking to marry. Those participating will support couples asking for marriage licenses at the clerk's office.

The Coalition is asking clergy to volunteer to marry or bless couples who are standing in line. Please plan to come in your clergy attire on that day. We are anticipating the media to be present for this event.

There will also be a civil disobedience action as several couples and clergy will be asked to leave the clerk's office and they will refuse. Your participation in the civil disobedience act is completely optional (and clearly last longer than an hour).

No one will be expected to be arrested unless you choose to. However, if you do choose to be arrested, then Marriage Equality USA will help provide legal assistance for you.

There will be a national wide conference call next Tuesday, February 25 at 6 pm for those who would like to gain more information and hear what other communities around the country are also planning on Valentine's Day.

If you like to participate in San Francisco action on February14^thor be on the phone call next Tuesday, please reply to this email for more information (email or call the Rev. Roland Stringfellow 510.849.8934).

Below are some talking points from the Coalition you can share with your congregations on reasons why to participate in this action.

Thank you again for your consideration. Please feel free to forward this email to others.

For more information please contact the Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Director of Ministerial Outreach of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion (email or call 510.849.8934).

Sincerely,

Rev. Thomas C. Jackson

President, Oasis California

Ten Reasons to Support the

Valentine's Day Request Marriage Action

1. What does a marriage mean under the law? While we may have religious, social and emotional ties to marriage, it is a basic civil right under the United States law. It provides couples with federal, medical, and economic protections and benefits. Without a marriage license, spouses cannot be visited in the hospital or have joint legal guardianship over their children. By refusing same-sex couples the right to marry, they are being denied their civil rights as U.S. citizens.

2. What do you believe is the strongest aspect of your faith? In all of the teachings of your particular religious tradition, what message would you say is the strongest? If you were to glean one central belief from your tradition, would it be one of exclusion or one of love and compassion?

3. Value of marriage. The movement for marriage equality does not take value or legitimacy away from heterosexual marriages. Instead, it highlights the beauty and importance of marriage in our society.

4. Real people. Sometimes we get caught up in legislations and political talk that we forget that these laws have direct and severe effects on people's lives. LGBTQ individuals are our doctors, engineers, teachers, and our relatives. It is important to ask yourself if you truly believe they deserve any less than you do.

5. Sexuality is a difficult subject. Especially within faith communities, the discussion regarding sexuality can be a difficult or uncomfortable one. However, it is an important one to have. If we don't even begin the conversation regarding sexual orientation, is it just to disregard and exclude LGBT peoples?

6. Sacredness of love. Love in itself, is one of the most sacred aspects of human nature. And what better day then Valentine's Day to stand up for love for all people?

7. A growing movement. Some may support marriage equality, but they do not believe that their faith community would agree with their views. The LGBT and Faith movement is growing, and there are welcoming congregations and resources for you. If you reach out, there are congregations that have gone through this process that would be more than happy to help you begin this dialogue.

8. Power in alliance. There is great power in being a straight ally and in particular, in being a congregation that is openly welcoming of all people. By expressing solidarity as a faith community, you are providing a very profound public message of unity that will bring comfort to many.

9. Peaceful action. The Valentine's Day Action will be a peaceful, dignified action that simply aims to highlight this legal inequality. It encourages love and equality for all couples.

10. A small commitment to make a powerful statement. This Valentine's Day Request Marriage Action is a very short and small commitment that you can make to send a powerful statement to your State and the nation at large. This is a call to your compassion to stand against discrimination.

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