By Believe Out Loud

Last Friday, Feb. 17, in a sea of green voting cards which said "yes," the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) spoke out in opposition to the proposed amendment to the Minnesota state constitution that would deprive the right to a civil marriage to same-gender partners.

The Minneapolis Area Synod, the largest synod of the ELCA and one of 6 in Minnesota and 65 in the ELCA, voted in favor of the resolution that opposed the amendment on the November ballot that would "prevent one group of committed couples and their families from pursuing ordinary legislative or legal means to gain the support and protections afforded to all others."

The Minneapolis synod is the first synod meeting this year. Other ELCA synods in Minnesota and throughout the United States will meet between April and June 2012.

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, Lutherans Concerned/North America, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, said

"The very idea that the civil rights of a minority in our society can be put to a popular vote is a tremendously important issue for America, our society, and every citizen in Minnesota. It is right that the church voice an opinion based on its social statement and bound conscience to support civil rights, to support and care for same-gender couples and their families, and to advocate for their legal protection. The proposed constitutional amendment does none of that. In fact, the amendment would limit our families to a second class status. We thank the members of the Minneapolis Synod for saying "no" to discrimination, and "yes" to equality. Once again, today, I am proud to be a Lutheran."

Learn more about Lutherans Concerned North America/Reconciling Works

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Image courtesy of Lutherans Concerned North America/Reconciling Works