Call for Celebration of Historic Moment  

In the Midst of Temporary Defeat:

All People of Faith Must Continue the Good Fight!

Office of the Global Justice Institute

Metropolitan Community Churches

The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries

For Immediate Release: 09 May 2012

Today Metropolitan Community Churches and congregations of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries around the globe can lift high the banner we were founded under: God's all inclusive love and the right of every human being, including God's LGBTI children, to live in the fullness of that love.

While the state of North Carolina passed a referendum making good, decent, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens from all walks of life, including children, less than equal citizens under an amended state constitution, the President of the United States declared his support for Marriage Equality.

"I have to tell you," President Obama said in an interview given today in the Cabinet room of the White House, "that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married."

While the North Carolina vote was and remains an act of violence, designed not only to limit the rights and social acceptance of LGBTI people and our families, but to marginalize heterosexual partners in committed or civil unions, the affirmation by President Obama is an act of courage that says clearly to every American, no matter our sexual orientation or gender identity, no matter the type of commitments we have made, we are all full and equal citizens who should be treated as such.

We hope every child who heard a sermon advocating extreme violence against those who are different from the majority will find strength in the President's heartfelt interview today, and be able to hold on for the day when difference is no longer vilified or condemned. We hope every child who hears the President's words will find hope for their futures.

And we hope every adult who felt that somehow being a person of faith conflicts with being an advocate for equality will take to heart the words of President Obama and find the courage to

pray and reflect on the meaning of believing in a God who is defined as love.

"The North Carolina vote, while very disappointing," said The Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt, Director for Marriage Equality and Adoptions for the Global Justice Institute and Public Policy Team, "must not be seen as the final word on Marriage Equality anywhere. Coalitions of those committed to equality and justice for all people have been built and empowered in ways that will enable them to continue working in North Carolina and all over the country. We will not give up until Marriage Equality is the law, not only in North Carolina, but all across the United States and even the globe. President Obama's evolution in thought and his courage in sharing his convictions give us all hope for the kind of changes globally that will guarantee freedom and equality for everyone."

Six states in the United States as well as the District of Columbia and 10 nations currently guarantee marriage equality. The Department of Justice in the United States has been ordered not to defend DOMA {Defense of Marriage Act} in the federal court system.

The day is coming, friends and colleagues, when marriage equality will be the rule of law, because it is the will of God. We firmly believe this. It is this conviction that gives us hope for a future where the world will live in peace with its God-given diversity.

Hold on! Don't ever give up! The defeat in North Carolina is only temporary. A better, more accepting and supportive world is before us.

Grace and Peace,

+Nancy                                                                       

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator  

Metropolitan Community Churches      

+ Yvette

Bp. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop

The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries

This statement prepared in conjunction with The Global Justice Institute,

a partnership of Metropolitan Community Churches and

The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries,

The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director,

The Rev. Joseph Tolton, Public Policy Specialist.