CLGS

Before the California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in May of 2008, the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS) was already at the forefront of religious voices for marriage equality in California and nationwide. In 2004, CLGS called the first meeting of faith leaders to discuss the development a state-wide network to address faith issues and marriage equality, laying the groundwork for what has become known as California Faith for Equality. That same year, CLGS created its online Marriage Project to offer resources explaining the subtle and complex issues surrounding marriage from religious and civil perspectives. Members of the CLGS staff, who number among the leading scholars on LGBT issues and religion, offered commentary to national and local press outlets.

After the California Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples had the right to marry, CLGS took an enhanced role in commenting on the decision and its implications for people of faith, with quotes from staff members appearing in theNew York Times, the Los Angeles Times,and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Prior to the election on November 4, CLGS and its Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations held a town hall meeting with a panel featuring African American religious leaders and the cast of the Logo network series Noah’s Arc. The meeting was one of the few events in the state to address African American people of faith, which turned out to be a key constituency in the election. A documentary, titled, For Faith, For Love, Forever will be featured at Gay Black Pride events around the country this summer,   

After Proposition 8 narrowly passed, CLGS led in calling for its repeal, and commented on the vote from a faith perspective for outlets as diverse as ABC News, Fox News, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press.

Prior to the California Supreme Court’s decision on the validity of Proposition 8, CLGS again took a leading role in organizing the response of LGBT and LGBT-allied people of faith. CLGS’s Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations organized an interfaith service at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral held the night before the decision. The service was led by leaders from a broad spectrum of faith traditions, and was featured in the pre-decision reports of all local television news outlets.

After the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, CLGS’s Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations organized protests responding to the decision. With CLGS’s coordination, clergy leading the protest march to San Francisco City Hall and being arrested in civil disobedience were featured in much of the national coverage of the decision, including the Associated Press, the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.

As the local and national dialogue on same-sex marriage continues, CLGS will continue to be a leading religious voice advocating for marriage equality, combining academic research, public education, and community advocacy.