Reverend Karl Vercouteren of the United Church of Christ congregation in The Dalles has been working for justice for over four decades. He likens equality to the concept of a level playing field, where "the same rights and freedoms exist for everyone with no artificial barriers placed in the way."

"My awareness about equality and commitment to achieving it goes back to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s," says Vercouteren. "I have taken public stands against discriminating ballot measures, worked on educational projects, and intend to keep speaking out on this issue."

Vercouteren's role as a pastor puts him into contact with parishioners and others in the community who are directly affected by GLBT inequality. "I've had many conversations with people who are afraid to own their sexual orientation publicly for fear of negative reactions by their families, employers, or churches," he says.

When Oregonians were voting on whether or not to ban same-sex marriage, Vercouteren was an outspoken opponent of Measure 36. "We should not be voting on such an issue," he said at the time. "What is behind it all is an intramural debate among Christians about how we read the Bible and how that translates into the ways we treat each other."
  
Vercouteren says the Bible bends toward justice and inclusiveness. "Parts of the text move in other directions, because much of the Bible is time-bound and rises out of a patriarchal culture and ideology," he says. "But if you start from the center and work out - and I believe that Jesus defines and embodies that center in a cross-shaped love of God and of the neighbor - then you may come out valuing the expansion of faithfulness and commitment, inclusion, human and civil rights, and equal justice for all, gay and straight."