Steadfast Love

A gold wedding ring sits on top of an open bible.

“I’m going to love you till I don’t love you no more…” So sang a song from the speakers in The Sports Connection, my gym when I lived in West Hollywood. I found the words funny, but when I laughed about them with a fellow weightlifter, he thought he was joining in the joke when…

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Celebrating The First Year Of My Amazing Lesbian Marriage

A couple kisses in front of a crowd of people.

On a cool Saturday—October 6th, 2012—I took a walk, holding the hand of my best friend, my soul-mate, and the love of my life.  I stood in front of my friends and family, and hers.  There were passages read, and homilies were presented. Underneath a natural chuppah of leaf and limb, God’s presence became visible and felt in light and gentle Autumn breeze. …

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Supreme Court Rules For Marriage Equality

A group of people holding signs that say god says gay is love.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down DOMA’s Section 3 and dismissed California’s Proposition 8 case on lack of standing. These historic rulings affirm that all families deserve equal respect and treatment under the law. We celebrate today with families across the country that can now access equal rights and recognition from our government.…

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Same-Sex Couple To Wed At Methodist Convocation

Two women posing for a photo in a hotel room.

They met while in seminary. “Seeing her was the first time in my life I was taken aback by someone’s presence. I instantly thought who is this woman,” said Mary Ann Kaiser. That was the beginning of a love story between Mary Ann and Annanda—a journey that is leading them to the wedding aisle at Reconciling Ministries…

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Called To Faith & Compassion

A black man praying in front of a microphone.

Faith is a journey that reveals the new and unexpected everyday. That’s a core belief we have at Believe Out Loud. We challenge ourselves, and others, to walk a mile in the shoes of those around us in an attempt to grow and strengthen our common humanity. That’s why we’re committed to working with Christians…

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Love Will Make A Way: Interracial & Same-Sex Marriage

My parents wrestled with the idea of me marrying my partner. The sanctuary was packed but my father didn’t come. Dad was brought up in the Deep South and my husband looked like the people who had practiced the nauseating hatred of Jim Crow in my father’s hometown. News of the support of our union,…

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Anniversary Reflections On Marriage Equality

Okay, here’s the overly-cute truth of it: I love being married. Now, I don’t think marriage is for everybody. I don’t think it’s part of God’s plan for all of us to be cutely married to some cute person and have a bunch of cute kids. As you can probably tell, that’s all a little…

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A Lutheran Pastor’s Thoughts On Inclusivity In The Faith Community

Two rings with the word equal on them.

“It’s about relationship,” I say to the people in our small Lutheran congregation.  “Authentic faith is grounded in, springs from, and blossoms into relationship.  Relationship that has a particular shape to it….this shape,” I say, making the sign of the cross.  “Relationship that is first and foremost a deep engagement with others, represented in this…

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