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US Episcopal Church Gay Group Profoundly Disappointed in California Court Decision

LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2009  –  Integrity, the LGBT group within the US Episcopal Church, today  joined with those around the nation who expressed profound disappointment in the California Supreme Court’s “abdication of its responsibility” to offer equal protection to all California citizens in today’s decision regarding Proposition 8.

“This morning we saw justice both denied and delayed,” said Integrity President Susan Russell.  “Today’s ruling by the California Supreme Court does not just affect the lives of same-sex couples hoping to live happily ever after with the love of their life; it sets a terrible precedent that a simple majority of voters can relegate millions of citizens to second class status.  

“Until ‘liberty and justice for all’ really means ‘all’ we are not yet the nation we are called to be and today was a sad step backward on that arc of history that generations of equality leaders have told us bends toward justice,” she insisted .

“It is a decision that is not only antithetical to the core American values of liberty and justice for all, it flies in the face of the core Christian commitment to love our neighbors as ourselves.  It is a decision that grieves the heart of God, violates core values of both our faith and our founding fathers, and puts the State of California on the wrong side of history on the issue of marriage equality.  It is a decision that should not and will not stand.

“As the mother of a son in uniform,” said Ms. Russell, “I find it deeply ironic that our Supreme Court would issue an opinion allowing discrimination to be written into our statutes the day after a national holiday dedicated to the memory of the brave men and women who have given their lives to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic – to preserve for their fellow citizens the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“Integrity will work, pray, and advocate for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments within the Episcopal Church and work with our California Faith for Equality allies toward marriage equality in California as we continue our 35-year history of giving voice to the LGBT faithful within the Episcopal Church and from the church to the world.”

■ The US Episcopal Church is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion.

■ The California Council of Churches has also condemned the ruling of the California Supreme Court.  See article on the Ekklesia (UK) website.

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