Listen now (13 mins) | Exploring the history of the marriage equality movement: How the election of a gay priest into the episcopacy of one of America's oldest and most established churches helped spark a movement that allowed me to marry another gay Episcopal priest twenty years later. But at the same time, how the church lost sight of the real promise of marriage equality when it turned what began as an appeal for assimilation into a battle for social justice.
Holy Cow! That felt like a sharp turn to a place I wasn't expecting, and not covered in my seminary years. I could feel my stomach drop, and honestly, (do I have the right to an opinion here as an old, hetero, seminary grad?), maybe I'm old school, but I do hope for that relationship that endures and sustains the partners through the challenges of life. I hope that for all couples. But what do I know? I was widowed suddenly and unexpectedly at the almost-five-year- mark of our marriage. That was 50 years ago this year, so I have little to no experience of long term marriage. Thank you for this challenging and thought provoking piece. I'm for for you all the way, and I send blessings of gratitude for your gifted expression.
Thank you for this! I can’t imagine what it must be like to have been widowed as such a young age - which puts into much-needed perspective my own trials. I’m surprised by how many people found my characterization of the influence of queer theology to be inconsistentm with their own experience in the church. Suprised - but also somewhat relieved that my experience might be more isolated than it feels. Stay in touch!
She says that it's unfair that if one of them gets into an accident, the doctors would only allow family into the ER and wouldn't let the life-long partner to be with their beloved one in time of need.
I find this argument very compelling. However, I find the gay issue to be too much of a slippery slope. If all the gay people had the respect for marriage that you show, I wouldn't mind it. But as you pointed out, too often (and too soon) the conversation turns against marriage, against monogamy and against many pillars of our society. From a purely sociological perspective, I cannot favor it. If we get to theology, my issues with it are even deeper.
Very thoughtful post. I can assure you I learned a couple of things reading it.
I sincerely appreciate how kind and civil you expressed your own sincere position - if only we could all engage in such a manner! I hope you will read the second piece I wrote which goes even deeper into the question of how we earned the support of people like you by convincing the public we were asking for the same obligations and commitments that come with marriage because we needed the stabilizing force that marriage provides. And yet, as my article details, I think we failed in defending monogamy as the essential requirement of marriage. https://substack.com/home/post/p-157673067?source=queue&autoPlay=true
Holy Cow! That felt like a sharp turn to a place I wasn't expecting, and not covered in my seminary years. I could feel my stomach drop, and honestly, (do I have the right to an opinion here as an old, hetero, seminary grad?), maybe I'm old school, but I do hope for that relationship that endures and sustains the partners through the challenges of life. I hope that for all couples. But what do I know? I was widowed suddenly and unexpectedly at the almost-five-year- mark of our marriage. That was 50 years ago this year, so I have little to no experience of long term marriage. Thank you for this challenging and thought provoking piece. I'm for for you all the way, and I send blessings of gratitude for your gifted expression.
Thank you for this! I can’t imagine what it must be like to have been widowed as such a young age - which puts into much-needed perspective my own trials. I’m surprised by how many people found my characterization of the influence of queer theology to be inconsistentm with their own experience in the church. Suprised - but also somewhat relieved that my experience might be more isolated than it feels. Stay in touch!
Hi, brother.
My mother favors gay marriage, while I do not.
She says that it's unfair that if one of them gets into an accident, the doctors would only allow family into the ER and wouldn't let the life-long partner to be with their beloved one in time of need.
I find this argument very compelling. However, I find the gay issue to be too much of a slippery slope. If all the gay people had the respect for marriage that you show, I wouldn't mind it. But as you pointed out, too often (and too soon) the conversation turns against marriage, against monogamy and against many pillars of our society. From a purely sociological perspective, I cannot favor it. If we get to theology, my issues with it are even deeper.
Very thoughtful post. I can assure you I learned a couple of things reading it.
I sincerely appreciate how kind and civil you expressed your own sincere position - if only we could all engage in such a manner! I hope you will read the second piece I wrote which goes even deeper into the question of how we earned the support of people like you by convincing the public we were asking for the same obligations and commitments that come with marriage because we needed the stabilizing force that marriage provides. And yet, as my article details, I think we failed in defending monogamy as the essential requirement of marriage. https://substack.com/home/post/p-157673067?source=queue&autoPlay=true