Bishops Oppose Gay Marriage Ban
06/17/2006

The House of Bishops endorsed a resolution opposing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage during its June 16 afternoon session at the 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Traditionalists called the vote a “back-door” endorsement of gay marriage -- a proposition denied by gay and lesbian activists who argue the language speaks only to the church’s concern for equal protection for all people under law.

Proposed by the Standing Committee on Social and Urban Affairs, Resolution A095 sought to reaffirm the church’s “support of gay and lesbian persons as children of God,” and stated its opposition to “any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions.”

The Bishop of Vermont, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Ely, rose in support, endorsing the promotion of civil and constitutional protections for gays and lesbians. “I hope it might encourage us to support” the full inclusion of gays and lesbians into the life of the church," he said.
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