General Convention Affirms Civil Rights

The House of Bishops and the House of Deputies passed the following resolution:

Resolution A095
Title: Gay and Lesbian Affirmation

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the Episcopal Church’s historical support of gay and lesbian persons as children of God and entitled to full civil rights; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reaffirm the 71st General Convention’s action calling upon “municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protection[s] such as: bereavement and family leave policies; health benefits; pension benefits; real-estate transfer tax benefits; and commitments to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples”; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention oppose any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions.

EXPLANATION
For at least thirty years, and even as debate about the role of gay and lesbian people within the Church has continued, successive General Conventions have recognized the equal claim of gay and lesbian persons to the civil rights enjoyed by all other persons. In 1994, General Convention (1994-D006) called on all levels of government to support legislation giving same-sex couples the same legal protections as non-same-sex married couples. In light of recent legislative actions in several states, and a proposed federal constitutional amendment, an affirmation of the Episcopal Church's support for equal rights is warranted.

It appears that the Diocese of Central Florida, the latest to beg for ALPO, specifically notes this resolution as influencing their decision:

...We disassociate this diocese from Resolution A-095 which opposes “any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions.” This resolution gives, in effect, the endorsement of the Church on same-sex civil marriage...

How quickly the real colors of the extremists are being revealed. Civil rights are now denied our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, in the name of God, no less.

For those of you who may not recall the history of this diocese, Bp. Howe was formerly the rector of the parish in Truro, Va., where Marty Minns, the newly elected bishop of the schismatic CANA hybrid, currently serves. Birds of a feather and all that.

J.