Have Faith
By
Cross-posted from Jon Elliston’s report today in the Mountain XPress:
At a press conference this morning, an interfaith group of more than two dozen local religious leaders issued a “statement of appreciation†backing Asheville City Council’s recent vote in support of establishing same-sex domestic-partner benefits for city employees.
Standing on the steps outside First Congregational United Church of Christ, the church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Joe Hoffman, opened the conference. “This is an important step towards being a more just city for all of our people,†he said in reference to the Council vote. “And we want the City Council to know that we are grateful, and that we stand with them in this action.
“We are not here today to debate anyone’s religious views; rather, we see this as an issue of civil rights,†he continued. “Equal compensation for same-gender couples is a just measure [for] city workers and for Asheville. … We hope more people will become comfortable with this decision as they come to learn about it, and as they reflect on the fairness it promotes.â€
Hoffman then read the group’s prepared statement:
“We, the leaders of a number of faith communities in Asheville, express our personal appreciation for the leadership and foresight of the Asheville City Council in proposing and moving toward a positive vote for domestic-partner benefits for city employees who are in same-gender relationships. As faith leaders, we are aware that the passage of this measure is significant to many members of our congregations, regardless of sexual orientation.
“We conclude that despite varying religious views about homosexuality, a civil society should work toward fairness and equitable compensation for everyone in the community, including public workers. Providing domestic-partner benefits for city employees who are in same-gender committed relationships contributes toward this goal and creates a stronger, family-supporting community, of which we are proud to be a part.â€
Hoffman was followed by the Rev. Todd Donatelli from the Cathedral of All Souls, who started by noting how various city departments have aided his church and how committed city staff are to enhancing life in Asheville. “As citizens who benefit from the quality of life that these folks work to serve and protect, it is also our obligation to provide them with benefits as citizens and to serve and protect those benefits for all persons.â€
Rabbi Rob Cabelli from Beth Israel Synagogue also spoke in support of the Council vote, as did the Ethical Society of Asheville’s Jackie Simms, the Rev. Byron Ballard, High Priestess Mother of Grove Goddess Temple, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville’s Rev. Mark Ward (see below for a list of the statement’s signatories.)
The press conference came on the heels of another conference called Feb. 10, where
severala few local ministers blasted Council for its vote. (click here to see Xpress’ report and video from that conference.)
Here’s the list of the statement of appreciation signatories, as of March 13:
- The Rev. Jim Abbott, Rector, St. Matthias Episcopal Church
- Rev. Byron Ballard, High Priestess Mother Grove Goddess Temple
- Rev. Bill Buchanan, Associate Minister, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
- Rabbi Rob Cabelli, Beth Israel Synagogue
- The Rev. Brian Cole, Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal
- The Very Rev. Todd Donatelli, Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal
- Rev. David Eck, Pastor, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church
- Rev. Dr. Paul Hamilton Fuller, IV, Episcopal, The Church of the Advocate
- Rev. Howard Hanger, Minister of Ritual, JUBILEE! Community
- Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Co Pastor, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ
- Rev. Joe Hoffman, Senior Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ
- Rev. Joyce Hollyday, Co-Pastor, Circle of Mercy
- The Rev. Deacon Bill Jamieson, The Micah Institute
- Katherine Kowal, Clerk, Asheville Friend’s Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
- Rabbi Batsheva Meiri, Congregation Beth Ha-Tephila
- Rev. Gabrielle Michel, Minister, Unity Church, West Asheville
- Rev. Anne Morgan, New Hope Presbyterian Church
- The Rev. Brent Norris, Rector, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
- Rev. Michael Poulos, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Mark Ramsey, Senior Minister, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
- The Rev. Canon Austin K. Rios, La Capilla de Santa Maria, Episcopal Church
- Rev. Steve Runholt, Minister, Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Ken Sehested, Circle of Mercy
- Jackie Simms, Ethical Society of Asheville
- Rev. Shannon Spencer, Associate Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ
- Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Mark Ward, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
- Rev. Sara Wilcox, Co-Pastor, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ
13 Comments
March 4th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
This event was organized by long-time civil rights activist Monroe Gilmour. Monroe is one of the mountains’ many treasures — without his dedication and good efforts, today’s press conference would not have happened.
On behalf of all the Hooligans: thank you Monroe, for all that you do for the people of Western North Carolina.
(You can thank Monroe yourself by emailing him here.)
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March 4th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
OUTSTANDING show of support. Thanks go out to all these leaders who stood up today.
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March 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Bless those forward thinking ministers. And a pox on those backward thinking ones who came out against this issue.
Whether those ministers want to admit it or not, this is a civil rights issue.
Interestingly the Department of Defense has addressed this rather unceremoniously by making allowances for what they call a “person with an insurable interest”. A person who is financially dependent or shares common responsibilities like a mortgage, or other interest, must provide proof that they would be financially affected upon the demise. They make no mention of same sex stipulations. Dept. of Defense’s position may be a useful model in this situation.
Person with an Insurable Interest
http://www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits/survivor-benefit-plan-explained
A member who does not have a spouse or dependent child when eligible to make a program election may elect to provide coverage for a person with an insurable interest in the member. The Department of Defense defines an insurable interest as “a natural person with an insurable interest who has a reasonable and lawful expectation of financial benefit from the continued life of the participating member, or any individual having a reasonable and lawful basis, founded upon the relation of parties to each other, either financial or of blood or affinity, to expect some benefit or advantage from the continuance of the life of the retired memberâ€. If the election is for a person who is more nearly related than a cousin, no proof of financial expectation is required.
An election for insurable interest coverage, for other than a dependent (as described in 10 U.S.C. 1072(2)), made by a member retiring on or after November 24, 2003 under a military disability provision, who dies within one year after being retired due to a cause related to the disability for which retired, shall be voided and any premiums paid for that coverage will be paid to the person to whom the annuity would have been paid.
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March 4th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I notice no Roman Catholic clergy on this list.
That church, well known for it’s support and protection of pederasts, pedophiles, and assorted sex criminals and the institutionalized cover-up of the same, is notably silent.
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March 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Today was, indeed, a powerful expression for love and family and fairness. The combined voices of the many faith leaders who were there sends a strong message of inclusiveness and respect to everyone in our community…and one of enthusiastic support for City Council’s action.
My appreciation to Michael Muller for his kind comment above about me, way overstated as it is! The News Conference was organized by People of Faith for Just Relationships, of which I am but one member. Many organizers were involved and everyone did her or his piece of it beautifully. It was fun to be part of that team. A special note of thanks goes to Rev. Joe Hoffman and everyone at First Congregational UCC. They walk their talk and inspire us all.
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March 5th, 2010 at 6:44 am
Nonsense, Monroe. I know for a fact that yesterday’s event wouldn’t have happened without your organizing ability and your many years of laying the groundwork through groups such as Western North Carolina Citizens For An End To Institutional Bigotry.
It’s the dedication and often unsung efforts of activists like yourself that makes any real change even possible. And in your own case, humility is a great part of your harm
So thank you again. Asheville and the people of WNC are very lucky to have you.
MM
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March 5th, 2010 at 8:56 am
While I applaud these folks on their stand, and I agree with them, I’m still struck by the fact that I don’t want ANYBODY “of faith” weighing in on matters of governmental policy, either for or against.
Separation of church and state. Go back to your church (synagogue, cathedral,…) and let the state be!
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March 5th, 2010 at 9:18 am
David,
I agree with you. Religious dogma ought to have no place in determining public policy — but the folks who gathered and spoke yesterday were doing so as private citizens and to show their personal appreciation for the recent vote by the Asheville City Council.
People of faith are an essential part of the fabric of our community. They deserve to be heard…and their voices yesterday were a necessary and powerful counterbalance to the hateful bile spewed by bigots like the Reverend Ogden.
MM
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March 5th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Just as ministers, rabbis, priests and other faith leaders played a large role in supporting civil rights for African American citizens in the mid-20th century, I believe they have a role to play today in attaining civil rights for our GLBT citizens. The public proclamation yesterday by community faith leaders provides us the opportunity to awaken to the essential nature of equal rights for all of our brothers and sisters. And it sends a strong message to those who would misuse the Bible to support their narrow-mindedness and justify their homophobia. I applaud the faith leaders for their willingness to step forward like this, and I applaud Gordon, Cecil, Esther and Brownie for their actions to provide greater equality for city employees with same-sex partners.
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March 5th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Here are some links to radio, TV, and newspaper coverage of the news conference:
City of Asheville debates domestic partner benefits
Religious leaders support benefits for gay couples in Asheville
Asheville-area faith leaders speak out for gay partner benefits by Joel Burgess (front page story)
Same-sex benefits getting show of support (includes video)
Faith leaders thank Asheville City Council for gay-benefits vote by Jon Elliston
Thanks again to the intrepid Monroe Gilmour for providing these links.
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March 5th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
You can add the Rev. Shad Marsh to that list.
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March 6th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Agreeing with everything above. But we gotta include unmarried staight couples or this thang ain’t gonna fly and will in the end hurt the cause.
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March 6th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Providing a path to benefits for all is what this measure does. I’m not sure which cause an advancement in civil rights will hurt.
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