A Message from the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
From Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator
An Update on
Rev. Troy Perry's Lawsuit Seeking
U.S. Recognition of Canadian Same-Sex Marriages
U.S. Recognition of Canadian Same-Sex Marriages
January 6, 2004
Dear MCC Friend:
On December 23, I participated in the California Superior Court hearing in San Francisco for my lawsuit against the State of California.
In 2004, I filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition of my Canadian same-sex marriage to my partner, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. The lawsuit also asks the State of California to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The scene at the courthouse was amazing. I literally had to push my way through the crowd of reporters and camera crews. So many people showed up that many were not able to get inside the courtroom. There were 31 lawyers seated in the attorneys' section.
Phillip and I originally filed our lawsuit along with lesbian activist Robin Tyler, and her partner, Diane Olson. Since then, additional defendants have been added to our case. In addition to our own well-known attorney, Gloria Allred, other groups have attached to our case, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the City of San Francisco.
The hearing was scheduled for one day. However, the legal arguments were extensive and the judge continued the hearing over into the next day.
Perhaps the most powerful event of the hearing took place outside of chambers. At the end of the first day, both sides took part in a press conference. Let me tell you that homophobia was alive and well there. Sadly, lawyers opposed to equal rights quickly took to ugly comments and put downs. One anti-gay lawyer walked by us and hissed, "Don't touch me!" -- for no apparent reason. Other lawyers began to attack our morality and our ability to form caring families and serve as loving parents. I have lived too long and been through to much to put up with those types of attacks.
I joined hands with Gloria Allred and Robin Tyler and Diane Olson and the other couples and we began to softly sing, "We shall overcome... we shall overcome some day." It was a powerful moment, as our voices rose above the taunts, "Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day."
Whether in the near term, or the long run, I do believe with all my heart that we shall overcome. I believe with Martin Luther King, Jr. that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
Whatever the ruling in this case, I felt the judge was fair and open-minded to our legal presentations. I am cautiously optimistic about the outcome. Both sides have until January 14 to present additional arguments in writing to the judge -- then he must issue his ruling within 90 days, by April 15.
And if for any reason the ruling goes against us, the case is not over. We would then carry our case to the Court of Appeals, or to the Supreme Court of California.
Please keep me and Phillip in your prayers as we continue this struggle.
And may I ask one more thing of you?
Would you join me in setting aside February 14 -- Valentine's Day -- to participate in the public actions on behalf of same-sex marriage rights across the United States?
Your support and presence are more vital this year than any year since this struggle began.
After last year's ballot defeats in 11 U.S. states, some have asked whether we need to step back from this fight? Put it on the back burner? Shift our focus to other issues?
Let me make this clear: Now is not the time to step back from the struggle for justice and equality!
I've heard these arguments before. In the midst of the civil rights struggles of the 1960's, there were those who told our African-American brothers and sisters to lower their rhetoric. Postpone the battle. Wait until later. But God bless them, they didn't waver from the struggle for justice and equality.
The same thing happened during the struggle for women's rights.Women were told to be patient. To not ask for too much too fast. To wait until later. But equality can never wait.
On February 14 -- Valentine's Day -- I am asking tens of thousands of people to go to courthouses and municipal offices. Get in line. Apply for a marriage license. Invite the press and media to join you -- they will! And if you are rejected -- and in most places in the United States you will be -- step before the cameras and tell your story. Tell them that our love is as real, and as deep, and as genuine as anyone else's. Tell them you only want equality under the law. Tell them you plan to return every year on Valentine's Day and apply for a marriage license until justice is granted to all people.
And here's another thought: This year I'm encouraging MCC ministers to take a new step. Stand on the courthouse steps and perform a wedding ceremony for couples whom the government has turned away. Let the cameras and reporters record our love and the depth of our commitment. Let's put a human face on this struggle.
This action will accomplish two important goals: 1) It will highlight the rejection LGBT couples still experience under the civil marriage laws and 2) It will demonstrate the welcome LGBT couples experience at MCC through religious wedding ceremonies.
In the next few days, we'll distribute an MCC Action Kit, complete with a step-by-step guide and a sample news release to promote your event. And we'll share more information about the wonderful resources available from Freedom to Marry and DontAmend.com -- along with some legal guidelines from the ACLU that may help inform future actions.
Will you stand with me on Valentines Day? Together we'll continue to advance the cause of marriage equality of LGBT people.
Troy Perry
The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Office of the MCC Moderator
Dear MCC Friend:
On December 23, I participated in the California Superior Court hearing in San Francisco for my lawsuit against the State of California.
In 2004, I filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition of my Canadian same-sex marriage to my partner, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. The lawsuit also asks the State of California to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The scene at the courthouse was amazing. I literally had to push my way through the crowd of reporters and camera crews. So many people showed up that many were not able to get inside the courtroom. There were 31 lawyers seated in the attorneys' section.
Phillip and I originally filed our lawsuit along with lesbian activist Robin Tyler, and her partner, Diane Olson. Since then, additional defendants have been added to our case. In addition to our own well-known attorney, Gloria Allred, other groups have attached to our case, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the City of San Francisco.
The hearing was scheduled for one day. However, the legal arguments were extensive and the judge continued the hearing over into the next day.
Perhaps the most powerful event of the hearing took place outside of chambers. At the end of the first day, both sides took part in a press conference. Let me tell you that homophobia was alive and well there. Sadly, lawyers opposed to equal rights quickly took to ugly comments and put downs. One anti-gay lawyer walked by us and hissed, "Don't touch me!" -- for no apparent reason. Other lawyers began to attack our morality and our ability to form caring families and serve as loving parents. I have lived too long and been through to much to put up with those types of attacks.
I joined hands with Gloria Allred and Robin Tyler and Diane Olson and the other couples and we began to softly sing, "We shall overcome... we shall overcome some day." It was a powerful moment, as our voices rose above the taunts, "Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day."
Whether in the near term, or the long run, I do believe with all my heart that we shall overcome. I believe with Martin Luther King, Jr. that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
Whatever the ruling in this case, I felt the judge was fair and open-minded to our legal presentations. I am cautiously optimistic about the outcome. Both sides have until January 14 to present additional arguments in writing to the judge -- then he must issue his ruling within 90 days, by April 15.
And if for any reason the ruling goes against us, the case is not over. We would then carry our case to the Court of Appeals, or to the Supreme Court of California.
Please keep me and Phillip in your prayers as we continue this struggle.
And may I ask one more thing of you?
Would you join me in setting aside February 14 -- Valentine's Day -- to participate in the public actions on behalf of same-sex marriage rights across the United States?
Your support and presence are more vital this year than any year since this struggle began.
After last year's ballot defeats in 11 U.S. states, some have asked whether we need to step back from this fight? Put it on the back burner? Shift our focus to other issues?
Let me make this clear: Now is not the time to step back from the struggle for justice and equality!
I've heard these arguments before. In the midst of the civil rights struggles of the 1960's, there were those who told our African-American brothers and sisters to lower their rhetoric. Postpone the battle. Wait until later. But God bless them, they didn't waver from the struggle for justice and equality.
The same thing happened during the struggle for women's rights.Women were told to be patient. To not ask for too much too fast. To wait until later. But equality can never wait.
On February 14 -- Valentine's Day -- I am asking tens of thousands of people to go to courthouses and municipal offices. Get in line. Apply for a marriage license. Invite the press and media to join you -- they will! And if you are rejected -- and in most places in the United States you will be -- step before the cameras and tell your story. Tell them that our love is as real, and as deep, and as genuine as anyone else's. Tell them you only want equality under the law. Tell them you plan to return every year on Valentine's Day and apply for a marriage license until justice is granted to all people.
And here's another thought: This year I'm encouraging MCC ministers to take a new step. Stand on the courthouse steps and perform a wedding ceremony for couples whom the government has turned away. Let the cameras and reporters record our love and the depth of our commitment. Let's put a human face on this struggle.
This action will accomplish two important goals: 1) It will highlight the rejection LGBT couples still experience under the civil marriage laws and 2) It will demonstrate the welcome LGBT couples experience at MCC through religious wedding ceremonies.
In the next few days, we'll distribute an MCC Action Kit, complete with a step-by-step guide and a sample news release to promote your event. And we'll share more information about the wonderful resources available from Freedom to Marry and DontAmend.com -- along with some legal guidelines from the ACLU that may help inform future actions.
Will you stand with me on Valentines Day? Together we'll continue to advance the cause of marriage equality of LGBT people.
Troy Perry
The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Office of the MCC Moderator
For Additional Information, Contact:
MCC Communications Department
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Second Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, Ext. 226
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org
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