HRC Applauds Washington National Cathedral’s Embrace of Marriage Equality

To contact us Click HERE



FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012
Paul Guequierre

HRC Applauds Washington National Cathedral’sEmbrace of Marriage Equality
WASHINGTON –The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, andtransgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today applauded the WashingtonNational Cathedral’s announcement that it will begin celebrating weddings ofgay and lesbian couples. The Cathedral is the most visible faith communitywithin the Episcopal Church.

“Today marksanother milestone in the Episcopal Church’s embrace of all God’s children,including LGBT people,” said Rev. MacArthur Flournoy, deputy director of HRC’sReligion and Faith Program.  “Today, the Church sent a simple but powerfulmessage to LGBT Episcopalians – you are loved just the way you are, and forthat we embrace you.”

Followingrecent victories for marriage equality across the country and particularly inMaryland and Washington, DC, the Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of WashingtonNational Cathedral said, “It is now only fitting that the National Cathedralfollow suit. We enthusiastically affirm each person as a beloved child ofGod—and doing so means including the full participation of gays and lesbians inthe life of this spiritual home for the nation.”

Since the1960s, many clergy have provided private blessings to gay and lesbian couples,but the Church had no official practice.  Following the 2009 GeneralConvention, the Church said bishops may provide “generous pastoral response” togay couples, especially in states that allow civil unions or gay marriages. Today’sannouncement is consistent with the adoption of a new liturgy for blessingsame-sex unions at the denomination’s General Convention in August.

The Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. gave his last Sunday sermon from the Canterbury pulpitof the Cathedral in 1968.  In 2004, the state funeral service forPresident Ronald W. Reagan was held at the Cathedral.  President BarackObama and several other past presidents-elect have been in attendance for thepresidential inaugural prayer service held at the Cathedral on Inaugurationday. 

“TheEpiscopal Church is one of a growing number of denominations to see a new dayin the intersection of faith and sexual orientation and gender identity. This is not only good LGBT people, it is good for the soul of the church,”added Rev. Flournoy.  

TheHuman Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working toachieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring andengaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizensand realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

# # #