Durham (NC) City Council Issues Pro-Marriage Equality Resolution

The resolution states: "The City Council of the City of Durham endorses and supports the rights of same sex couples to share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitments of civil marriage."

Last night, when the resolution unanimously passed, without discussion, the City Council received a standing ovation from much of the packed audience.

While the resolution does not have any effect on the law, it's symbolic passing will not go without notice within North Carolina's GLBT community.

Quakers are More than Friends, They are Allies; Espiscopals Act Boldly

Quakers, also known as the Society of Friends, have just extended a further act of friendship to more of their members for justice and equality.

Yes, the Quakers in Britain now officially sanction gay marriage and are calling on Parliament to do the same legally. It's not a big surprise since Quakers are progressive in the U.S. as well, but Quakers are Britain’s first mainstream religious group to approve marriages for homosexuals. Most others have approved of civil unions, which the government allows.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6734687.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Perhaps more significant, the US Episcopal Church moved to end their ban of gay bishops -- defying warnings that the Church of England may respond by recognizing a rival Anglican church and Archbishop of Canterbury's admonition that the U.S. church not to act in ways that deepen the splits in the 77-million-member worldwide communion.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/15/episcopal-church-ends-its-ban-on-gay-bishops/

Religions, if they are to remain relevant, must change to recognize truths that are larger than the limited and enshrined "morals" of the men who wrote their holy laws thousands of years ago.

While it's good that religions are moving forward and may influence government officials as they do, we need to remember to keep separating religious from civil marriages. By having religious officials make marriages legal, we inappropriately mix what should remain separated.