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Ashland Clergy Making Headlines for Marriage Equality

There’s nothing as courageous as standing up for your convictions.  That’s exactly what pro-equality religious leaders in Ashland are doing.

Last week, Rev. Pam Shepherd of the First Congregational United Church in Ashland announced that they will stop signing marriage licenses for any couple, until they can do so for every couple – gay or straight.

First Congregational Church is deeply committed to social justice and inclusion.  And that commitment guides them to treat all caring and committed couples equally.

As people of faith, they have decided that they cannot in good conscience provide rights and responsibilities to one group while excluding another group from those same rights and responsibilities.

They received great news coverage last week from local papers and the Associated Press.

And on Saturday they celebrated the sacrament of marriage with half a dozen gay and lesbian couples.  The Medford Mail Tribune wrote a stellar article on the event.  And also posted a moving video that you can find on BRO’s YouTube page.

Here at Basic Rights Oregon we’re inspired by the commitment of these faith leaders.  And it reminds all of us that simple acts by individual people can make a world of change.