MCC Celebrates 35 Years Work On Behalf Of Same-Sex Marriage Equality
MCC's Historic Role For Social Justice Recounted;
Information On Rev. Troy Perry's Marriage Lawsuit In California
Dear MCC Friend:
We are living in amazing times -- and the same-sex marriage struggle has moved to the forefront of international debate.
Over the past few weeks, the press has repeatedly asked me an interesting question: Why is MCC involved in the civil marriage issue?
And I am always glad to enlighten them: This is a cause for which MCC has worked for 35 years.
Did you know:
In 1969, I performed the first same-sex church wedding at Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles, then located in Huntington Park, California. This was recently documented in Time Magazine's coverage of same-sex marriage..
In 1970, in the first-ever court case of its kind, MCC sued the State of California seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages. We lost that fight -- but we launched three decades of debate and struggle for marriage equality.
In April of 1975, MCC performed the first-ever same-sex marriage performed with a civil marriage license. The ceremony took place in Denver, Colorado on April 21, 1975, and was performed by Rev. Elder Freda Smith and then MCC clergyperson Robert Sirico, and the witnesses were Rev. Elder Charlie Arehart and my longtime assistant, Frank Zerilli. I'll share this entire story -- a missing bit of our LGBT history -- with you in another message soon.
In 1987, MCC participated in the first ever mass celebration of same-sex marriage. It took place in front of the Internal Revenue Service Building in Washington, DC as part of the second LGBT March on Washington. More than 1000 same-sex couples made their public wedding vows at that event.
In 2000, I was privileged to conduct what is still the world's largest ever celebration of same-sex marriage. On that occasion, more than 3000 couples made their public vows before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC -- an event that was covered by CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Associated Press and hundreds of media outlets around the world.
On June 10, 2003, based on a lawsuit brought by Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, a Canadian court struck down the heterosexual-only definition of marriage, ordering that marriage licenses be issued to same-sex couples in Canada.
In July of 2003, a longtime dream of mine was realized as my partner Phillip and I were legally married under Canadian law at MCC Toronto.
This year, in 2004, I was so thankful and honored to be named one of the "Voices of Freedom" by the Freedom to Marry Coalition in recognition of MCC's work on behalf of marriage equality.
During February of 2004, MCC San Francisco, where Rev. Dr. G. Penny Nixon is senior pastor, officiated at numerous legal same-sex weddings and conducted California's historic, first-ever same-sex church wedding with a legally issued civil marriage license. MCC clergypersons Rev. David Gant and Rev. Judy Maynard did the same thing as civil marriage licenses were briefly issued in New Mexico, and their ceremonies were carried around the world on CNN, The Los Angeles Times, and numerous media outlets.
And on February 23, 2004, my partner Phillip and I filed our lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles seeking California's recognition of our legal Canadian marriage.
Since the lawsuit was filed a few days ago, I have literally been inundated with messages from friends who have assured us of their prayers. I know these public actions always raise questions -- and I know that the enemies of the LGBT communities will twist and misrepresent our actions on behalf of the community.
That's why I think it is important for you to hear from me firsthand about this latest step in the battle for same-sex marriage rights.
Let me share this information in a question-and-answer format, based on the many press inquiries we are receiving:
Q. Why did you file this lawsuit?
A. Phillip and I have sued the County of Los Angeles, and by extension, the State of California, because it will not recognize our legal Canadian marriage and because it will not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Q. Why does MCC have a history of involvement with social justice issues?
From our earliest days, MCC's theology and ministry have been rooted in a three-pronged Gospel: Christian salvation, Christian community, and Christian social justice. Our social justice work is not separate from our ministry -- it is an integral part of MCC's ministry and is rooted in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Our biblical mandate calls us to fight injustice, discrimination and oppression as a key component of our spiritual commitment.
Q. Does your lawsuit specifically ask that your marriage in Canada be recognized?
A. Yes, Part 9 of our petition in the Superior Court in the State of California for the County of Los Angeles states: “Mr. Perry and Mr. De Blieck have been deeply committed to one another for an extended period of time and enjoy a stable relationship. In fact, Messrs Perry and De Blieck went through a civil marriage in Canada and are considered married to each other under the laws of that country. Mr. Perry and Mr. De Blieck desire to have their Canadian marriage recognized under California law, but were prevented from doing so by the politics of the County of Los Angeles alleged herein."
Q: If you win the lawsuit, do you and Phillip plan to get remarried under California law?
A. No. Phillip and I will not remarry in the State of California. Our marriage in Canada is more precious to us than we can ever explain. Again, I want to thank Rev. Brent Hawkes and the congregation of MCC Toronto (Ontario, Canada) for permitting Phillip and me to be married in our church there.
Q. How long will this lawsuit take?
A. According to constitutional scholars in California who have been asked, if this case goes all the way to the Supreme Court of California it could take two-to-five years for a final resolution.
Q. Who is your lawyer?
A. Our lawyer is Gloria Allred, a leading, nationally known (US) attorney with a long history of commitment to feminist issues and support for the gay and lesbian community. She is an articulate spokesperson and is frequently featured on national and international news and talk shows. She has been a friend to MCC over many years, and a personal friend, as well.
Q. Since you are already married under Canadian law, why did you present yourselves at the office of the County Clerk in Beverly Hills, California for the purpose of obtaining a marriage license?
A. Based on legal advice from our attorney, this step was necessary to document that the State of California discriminates against same sex couples. The two complainants with us, lesbian activist Robin Tyler (formerly from Winnipeg, Canada) and her partner, Diane Olson (the granddaughter of a former governor of California), are suing for the basic right of same-gender couples to marry or to have their marriages recognized under California law.
Q. How can we learn more about the California lawsuit?
A. The entire text of the lawsuit is available on our website. Click here or go to www.MCCchurch.org. On the opening page, click on "Click Here To Read Updates On Rev. Perry's Lawsuit." On the next page, you will find the link to the text of the lawsuit at the very top of the page.
In conclusion...
Phillip and I stand in need of your prayers in this struggle. As you know from my statements this week, we must pray -- and put legs on our prayers. That means taking a stand. Making our voice heard. Paying a price. Becoming more educated n these issues. Writing our government officials. Fighting discrimination where ever it is found.
Please pray also for Phillip and me as we appear before the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County where they will be voting, hopefully against, the constitutional amendment, but at the same time whether they are going to use county resources and finances to fight our lawsuit.
Again, I want to thank so many of your who have written this week to convey your prayers and best wishes, and thank you for allowing me to share this information with you.
Troy Perry
Rev. Troy D. Perry
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
P.S. In the next day or two, I plan to send another message to you to share the wonderful work accomplished by our local churches during Freedom To Marry Week. If your church has not yet sent a report on your activities, public events or media coverage, please send your information to the attention of the MCC Communications Department by e-mail at info@MCCchurch.org
P.P.S. Your generous donation helps us continue the struggle to win marriage equality. Click here to make your donation today: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/UniversalFellowshipofMetrpo/OnlineGiving_fs.html. Under "Campaign," simply select "Marriage Equality Project." (END)