For Just Such a Time as This

 "Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this."

ESTHER 4:14

A question that seems to be in people's minds, if not verbalized, is "Why do we need Integrity around here?" Our bishops ride on Pride floats and speak out for the rights of LGBT people. We have numerous congregations who are welcoming and LGBT people are involved in all levels of ministry. We perform same-sex marriages and blessings in our churches.  And today, the sitting President of the United States announced in an election year that he personally supports same-sex marriage.

Amid all this progress, there's a temptation to sit back and be satisfied.  After all, for LGBT people in our area, finding a church where you can participate fully without your orientation presenting a barrier is easy.  We're past all that, aren't we?

And yet, we're not.

Yesterday, the people of North Carolina, egged on in large part by religious leaders, voted to enshrine discrimination against same-sex couples into their constitution.  Last week, a video circulated in which a pastor in that state advocated physical abuse of effeminate boys.  Our local pride events are frequently protested by "ex-gay ministries" and NYC's new cardinal has warned Catholic churches who dare minister to LGBT people without reminding them of their "disordered" state.

Despite efforts by many progressive Christian leaders to the contrary, the overwhelmingly dominant message on the American airwaves remains that if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, there's no place in church for you.  As rapidly as America seems to be evolving in its acceptance of LGBT issues, the perception is that the institutional church is stubbornly staying behind, and the fact that a recent Pew study showed that over a quarter of young people claim no religious affiliation at all is a telling indicator of what this means for our relevance, leaving young people like this one wondering if the church will be around for them when they're our age.   Also, although in the same poll 70% of Episcopalians support LGBT inclusion, we still have dioceses -- including one nearby -- where people with a same-sex partner are not able to pursue ordination or have their relationships acknowledged by the church.

It will take witness from every single one of us to turn this tide. Some of this work happens at the congregational and even individual level, and our chapter continues to partner with The OASIS and the LGBT Concerns Committee of the Diocese of New York to make that happen here.  But a national voice is also needed.  Integrity is the largest advocate for the LGBT community within the church, and traditionally represents our interests at General Convention.  Our work is entirely supported by our members and partners, with no funding from the national church.  We've set an ambitious goal of $100,000 to mobilize a team of volunteers, of which nearly half has already been contributed, thanks be to God..

Integrity's platform for GC12 includes:

• Advocate for liturgical blessings for same gender couples throughout the Church.
• Support the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music's call for a church wide conversation on marriage.
• Fervently advocate for full inclusion of our transgender sisters and brothers, by supporting a resolution which adds "Gender Identity" and "Gender Expression" to the church's non-discrimination canons and
  
• Release Voices of Witness 3: OUT OF THE BOX. A video and study guide on transgender issues, and provide a copy to all bishops and deputies
  
• Call for strong church wide response to all aspects of bullying, especially that which is based on sexual orientation or gender expression.

If you are able to support Integrity in this work, please consider a donation of any size to our General Convention fund. We also seek to forge or re-establish ongoing partner relationships with congregations in the Dioceses of Long Island, New Jersey, Newark and New York. Our partners work with us to plan programming in the area, receive a voting seat on our national Stakeholders' Council, and we actively promote them as welcoming places of worship to our members. If you are not an official member of Integrity, please consider joining us.

Please contact us if you have any questions or ideas about Integrity's presence at GC12 or are willing to work with us to make these goals a reality. Our NYC-Metro Chapter is already helping with a fund-raiser next month, and we'd love to see you there (details soon). We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

Committee Offers Preview of Report on Same-Gender Unions

The Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church today published excerpts from a report on the blessing of same-gender unions that it will present at this summer's General Convention in Indianapolis.

The Commission was directed by the 2009 General Convention to collect and develop theological resources and liturgies for blessing same-gender relationships and report to this summer’s General Convention. They undertook a project of mammoth proportions to collect the work that has been going on for the last fifty years in parishes, Integrity chapters and dioceses across the country.

“This is a milestone on our journey to open the Episcopal Church to all people,” said The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, President of Integrity. “the Commission’s work not only stands as an example of exceptional collaborative church-wide study but brings us an important step closer to full equality. Their remit was to look at blessings for same-gender couples and they have done this with aplomb, offering not just a rite of blessing but a theological statement which will challenge us all to reconsider the theology of committed relationships, including traditional heterosexual marriage.”

In 2007, a Civil Union Task Force of clergy and laity commissioned by The Right Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of Newark, undertook to understand how the availability of civil unions for same-sex couples in New Jersey impacted those in the Diocese. It reported on its findings in December of that year. The Task Force also produced suggested rites for the blessing of such services in both English and Spanish, which are included in the report. These were among the materials submitted to the SCLM for its work.

Integrity Director of  Communications Louise Brooks contributed to this article

Christie Vetoes Marriage Equality Bill

As expected, Governor Christie of New Jersey has vetoed the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act which was passed by both houses of the state legislature this week.  Supporters of the bills now have until January of 2014 to garner enough votes to override the governor's veto. 

The governor, who believes civil unions are an adequate concession to same-sex couples despite continued logistical and social evidence to the contrary, has suggested a public referendum on the matter.  While the majority of New Jersey voters do favor legalizing marriage equality, we agree with those in the vanguard of this fight that civil rights should not be left to a public vote. 

"While I am disappointed that Governor Christie has chosen to stand on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of fairness, and the wrong side of faith, I remain hopeful that Marriage Equality will soon be a reality in New Jersey," said the Rev. Jon M. Richardson, Integrity's Vice-President for National Affairs and the Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul's Church in Jersey City, "I am deeply grateful to all of the legislators and faith leaders who have stood up for progress while Governor Christie has chosen politics over fairness.  'Justice for all!' is an American value, a Christian value, and a Family value.  Though Governor Christie's values may be different, justice will win in the end."

While it comes as no surprise that Governor Christie made good on his promise to veto this bill, it is nonetheless disappointing.  As people of faith who believe God loves ALL loving, faithful relationships, we will continue to BELIEVE OUT LOUD and witness that belief to those around us until justice does indeed roll down like water and all couples in the state are afforded the same rights and responsibilities.  We will also go on striving to make our congregations places where such partnerships are blessed and nurtured.

Marriage Equality Acts Pass in NJ Senate & House, Action Needed to Overcome Veto

Both houses of the New Jersey Legislature passed versions of the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act this week. On Monday, Feb. 13th, the Senate voted 24-16 in favor, and today (Thursday) the Assembly followed with a vote of 42-33.

Integrity NYC-Metro is extremely grateful to the Right Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of Newark, and the Right Rev. George Councell, Bishop of New Jersey, for their repeated visits to the State House and speaking out to the press. Thanks to all the clergy and laity who have dared to BELIEVE OUT LOUD about marriage equality as a Christian value.

 “It's exciting to witness the progress toward marriage equality that is already happening in the state of New Jersey and I'm particularly heartened by the leadership on that front by our Episcopal bishops,” said the Rev. Jon M. Richardson, Integrity’s Vice-President, National Affairs and Priest-in Charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Jersey City. “ I join my voice with so many others in our state calling on Governor Christie to sign the bill.”

 However, our work is not yet complete. Governor Christie has indicated he will veto these bills if they reach his desk, and that he prefers a public referendum on the matter. While the majority of New Jerseyans favored marriage equality in recent polls, we do not believe people's civil rights should be put to a vote. We need your voices added to ours in the effort to either build veto-proof support for this legislation or convince the governor to let it pass. We must ensure that a referendum, should it occur, would not put marriage equality in New Jersey further beyond reach.

We ask that you contact your assembly and senate representatives, friends, family members and those in your congregation and be willing to speak from your heart on why marriage equality matters to you. Too often Christians are assumed to be against LGBT equality: at this historic moment in our state's history, let's break that assumption and tell New Jersey that ALL love is of God, and the rights and responsibilities of a stable, recognized relationship belong to ALL couples.

Resolution on Marriage Passes at NY Convention

The Committee on LGBT Concerns of the Diocese of New York proposed a resolution that was presented at our (delayed) Diocesan Convention. The resolution asks that the Bishop of the Diocese of New York interpret C056 in a manner that will allow (but not require) clergy in the Diocese to officiate at same-gender marriages as they do currently with opposite-gender couples. It also calls upon the Diocesan Convention to urge the 77th General Convention to revise the current Canons of The Episcopal Church with regard to marriage, to provide for the marriage of same-gender couples in those jurisdictions that have or will have civil marriage for same-gender couples.

For those not at Convention, the resolution on Marriage Equality passed easily. There was a motion to separate the parts, with a vote on parts 1 & 2 and then a vote on part 3 [the main part asking the bishop to allow clergy to officiate.] The vote on the first two parts was practically unanimous, and about 75% in favor of the third part. The full text of the resolution along with a brief explanation may be found here. Thank you to all those who helped support this resolution.

Film Honoring Byron Rushing to Air April 26th

On April 26th, a fifteen-minute documentary honoring Massachusetts State Representative Byron Rushing 's work for marriage equality in African-American communities will be screened as part of a film festival honoring Nelson Mandela in New York.

Marriage Equality: Byron Rushing And The Fight For Fairness describes how Rushing (who is heterosexual and an Episcopalian) presents marriage equality as a civil-rights issue to black faith leaders. It will have its world premiere on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at Aaron Davis Hall, 135th St. at Convent Ave., in New York City.

• Buy tickets for the premiere
• Press release
• Read the article on Walking with Integrity 
• Watch a film clip
• Rep. Byron Rushing Biography

A Statement from the Diocesan Committee on LGBT Concerns and the Diocesan Social Concerns Comission

As people of faith, we are saddened and disappointed by the New York State Senate’s vote against marriage equality for same-sex couples. The failure to enact this legislation means that families headed by same-sex couples, including families with children, will continue to be denied the same economic security and legal protections that heterosexual married couples have. It is disheartening and is not in keeping with the resolutions of our own Episcopal Church that gay and lesbian persons “are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens” (GC Resolution A-71, 1976).

Nevertheless, we ask that the people of the Episcopal Diocese of New York diocese, both straight and gay, lay and clergy, continue to keep faith and put their energy into seeing that marriage equality happens in the future. You may want to contact your state senators about their votes. (A listing of the votes of all New York State Senators can be found below.) It is especially important to contact those senators who voted for the legislation. They are our allies, and many spoke eloquently and courageously on behalf of equal treatment for all New York families. They deserve our thanks and support.

In calling your senators and in continuing to advocate, be sure to let them know that the Episcopal Diocese of New York remains on the record as supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples, as per our resolution at the 2008 Diocesan Convention. Although the governor and the senate leaders were told of this, we should continually remind them as we go forward, so as to balance out the voices of other religious groups that fought against marriage equality.

We need to keep the faith and continue to honor our covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.

Peace,

Stephen McFadden

Chair, Diocesan Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns

Episcopal Diocese of New York

The Reverend Mark Hummel

Chair, Social Concerns Commission

Scroll Down: The vote of each state senator is below.

Eric Adams (D) — YES

Joseph Addabbo (D) — NO

James Alesi (R) — NO

Darrel Aubertine (D) — NO

John Bonacic (R) — NO

Neil Breslin (D) — YES

John DeFrancisco (R) — NO

Ruben Diaz (D) — NO

Martin Malave Dilan (D) — YES

Tom Duane (D) — YES

Pedro Espada (D) — YES

Hugh Farley (R) — NO

John Flanagan (R) — NO

Brian Foley (D) — YES

Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R) — NO

Martin Golden (R) — NO

Joseph Griffo (R) — NO

Kemp Hannon (R) — NO

Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D) — YES

Shirley Huntley (D) — NO

Craig Johnson (D) — YES

Owen Johnson (R) — NO

Jeffrey Klein (D) — YES

Liz Krueger (D) — YES

Carl Kruger (D) — NO

Andrew Lanza (R) — NO

Bill Larkin (R) — NO

Kenneth LaValle (R) — NO

Vincent Leibell (R) — NO

Tom Libous (R) — NO

Elizabeth Little (R) — NO

Carl Marcellino (R) — NO

George Maziarz (R) — NO

Roy McDonald (R) — NO

Hiram Monserrate (D) — NO

Velmanette Montgomery (D) — YES

Thomas Morahan (R) — NO

Michael Nozzolio (R) — NO

George Onorato (D) — NO

Suzi Oppenheimer (D) — YES

Frank Padavan (R) — NO

Kevin Parker (D) — YES

Bill Perkins (D) — YES

Michael Ranzenhofer (R) — NO

Joseph Robach (R) — NO

Stephen Saland (R) — NO

John Sampson (D) — YES

Diane Savino (D) — YES

Eric Schneiderman (D) — YES

Jose Serrano (D) — YES

James Seward (R) — NO

Dean Skelos (R) — NO

Malcolm Smith (D) — YES

Daniel Squadron (D) — YES

William Stachowski (D) — NO

Toby Ann Stavisky (D) — YES

Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) — YES

Antoine Thompson (D) — YES

David Valesky (D) — YES

Dale Volker (R) — NO

George Winner (R) — NO

Catherine Young (R) — NO

Rally for Marriage Equality

Details:
Sunday, May 31, 2009 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Athens Park in Astoria (take the N/W train to 30th Avenue)
30th Avenue & 30th Street
Astoria, NY

Come show your support for equality, meet up with fellow Queens citizens, enjoy music from Broadway stars, and hear from government officials and members of our community who support marriage equality. Performers at the rally have appeared in: Rent, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Flower Drum Song, The King and I, Spelling Bee, Good Vibrations, and Mary Poppins, and on the television shows Guiding Light and Hi-5.

State Senator George Onorato (D), who represents much of Western Queens, currently publically opposes marriage equality but this rally in support of equality has a chance to help change his mind. Queens Senators Huntley (D), Addabbo (D) Padavan (R) also currently oppose marriage equality. We need to change their minds.

This rally is sponsored by Western Queens for Marriage Equality. Western Queens for Marriage Equality is a coalition of groups including: Democracy for New York City, Long Island City Alliance, New York State Young Democrats, Queens County Young Democrats, the Jewish Alliance for Change, IntegrityNYC, Marriage Equality New York, Broadway Impact, Civil Rights Front, the New York Civil Liberties Union, Civil Marriage Trail Project, West Queens Greens, OUT Astoria, Astorians United Against Hate Crimes, Astorians United for Peace and Justice, and NewYorkEquality.com

Western Queens for Marriage Equality is a coalition group that believes marriage is a human right that should be available to all New Yorkers, regardless of sexual orientation. In the words of Mildred Loving, the woman whose courage made interracial marriage legal throughout America, marriage is about "the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. [We] support the freedom to marry for all."

RSVP Here

Western Queens for Marriage Equality

The Steering Committee of IntegrityNYC has decided to co-sponsor Western Queens for Marriage Equality. WQfME is a coalition of several organizations working for the promotion of Marriage Equality especially in the 12th Senate District where their representative, Senator George Onorato has openly said he will vote against Marriage Equality. The organizers reached out to IntegrityNYC, and we couldn't say no to helping in this effort. A rally is being planned for the end of May, and several Episcopalians will be participating in it.

Pre-Diocesan Convention Rally

Are you ....

A Delegate to the New York Diocesan Convention?

A member of the clergy?

On the Vestry??

A Concerned Parishioner???

If so, please come to the Church of the Holy Apostles on Tuesday, October 28th to hear about what YOU can do to help support the Resolution on Civil Marriage Equality in New York State. There will be a Eucharist at 615pm, followed by the rally / presentation at 7pm

Find out more about the resolution, the pre-convention caucuses and more!

Special thanks to the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns for crafting the resolution.

RSVP Here