In
my
life,
I
don’t
think
there’s
been
a
more
acutely
important
political
challenge
for
gay
people
than
defeating
the
California
ballot
initiative
to
amend
the
state
constitution
and
overturn
the
recent
decision
of
the
California
Supreme
Court
extending
equal
marriage
rights
to
gay
couples.
Blade
readers
should
donate
to
one
of
the
non-partisan
political
action
committees
(PAC)that
have
been
formed
for
the
purpose
of
defeating
the
anti-gay
marriage
amendment.
Winning
this
fight
will
not
only
preserve
the
right
of
same-sex
couples
to
marry
in
California,
it
will
be
the
single
most
significant
political
victory
for
gay
people
in
this
country’s
history.
How
better
to
put
the
tired
“judicial
activism”
canard
to
bed
than
by
winning
a
straight-up
referendum
on
the
issue
in
the
nation’s
most
populous
state?
Equality
for
All
(equalityforall.com)
is
an
independent
California
PAC
devoted
to
defeating
the
amendment.
HRC
has
also
established
a
PAC
solely
for
this
effort.
Both
have
web
sites
where
supporters
can
donate
quickly
and
easily.
There
is
no
limit
on
the
amount
an
individual
can
contribute
to
a
California
PAC
and
money
given
to
these
PACs
will
not
be
used
to
support
a
particular
party
or
candidate.
The
sole
purpose
of
these
PACs
is
to
defeat
the
anti-gay
marriage
amendment.
I
am
not
associated
in
any
way
with
Equality
for
All
or
HRC.
I
just
share
their
goal
of
defeating
this
amendment.
I
also
have
a
finite
budget
for
political
contributions,
but
let’s
face
it,
Barack
Obama
is
going
to
raise
a
billion
dollars
anyway.
Washington
Recent
coverage
of
the
General
Conference
of
the
United
Methodist
Church’s
decision
to
uphold
anti-GLBT
statements
in
its
Book
of
Discipline
paints
a
rather
one-sided
picture
of
the
10-day
gathering
of
United
Methodists
from
around
the
globe.
While
many
actions
taken
by
the
church
at
this
meeting
were
harmful
to
GLBT
persons
both
inside
and
outside
the
church,
it
is
important
to
recognize
the
many
voices
speaking
out
for
equality
as
well
as
the
positive
steps
the
United
Methodist
Church
did
take
this
year,
namely
it:
dismissed
all
anti-transgender
legislation
by
wide
margins.
passed
a
constitutional
amendment
that
declares
“all
persons”
eligible
for
membership.
weakened
the
funding
ban
against
homosexual
caucuses
to
allow
for
financial
support
for
activities
that
would
help
the
church
not
“to
reject
or
condemn
lesbian
and
gay
members
and
friends.”
passed
a
resolution
against
heterosexism
and
homophobia.
voted
in
a
new
definition
of
family
that
recognizes
“two
parents”
instead
of
“mother
and
father.”
created
an
ethics
committee
to
monitor
the
action
of
lobbyists
and
delegates
during
General
Conferences
in
the
future.
installed
a
new
judicial
council
comprised
of
members
committed
to
fairness
and
integrity.
created
a
study
commission
for
the
worldwide
restructuring
of
the
church
that
gives
the
committee
freedom
to
explore
all
options.
Despite
what
the
church’s
“official”
proclamation
might
be,
the
United
Methodist
Church
is
not
of
one
mind
on
issues
concerning
GLBT
Christians.
This
is
evidenced
not
only
in
the
protests
and
actions
led
by
Reconciling
Ministries
Network,
Affirmation
and
Soulforce,
among
others,
but
also
in
the
very
close
votes
on
many
pieces
of
legislation.
Rather
than
dwell
on
the
pain,
we
prefer
to
celebrate
the
hope
we
see
in
our
church
and
the
possibility
for
change
in
the
future.
The
membership
and
participation
in
the
Baltimore-Washington
Area
Reconciling
United
Methodists
(B-WARM)
—
a
group
composed
of
individuals,
both
lay
and
ordained,
congregations,
and
campus
ministries
in
the
Baltimore
Washington
region
—
continues
to
grow.
Our
mission
is
to
affirm
lesbian,
gay,
bisexual
and
transgender
people
and
ensure
the
full
participation
of
people
of
all
sexual
orientations
and
gender
identities
in
the
ministry
and
life
of
the
United
Methodist
Church.
All
are
welcome
to
join
us
in
praise
and
worship
of
our
God
whose
grace
surpasses
understanding.
We
stand
for
equality.
We
stand
for
change.
We
stand
for
God’s
love
for
all
people.
Chair,
B-WARM
Steering
Committee
Editors’
note:
The
Reconciling
Congregations
and
Campus
Ministries
in
the
D.C.
area
include:
Bethesda
UMC
(Baltimore),
Capitol
Hill
United
Methodist
Church,
Christ
UMC,
Dumbarton
UMC,
Foundry
UMC,
St.
Luke’s
UMC,
St.
John’s
of
Baltimore
City
UMC,
American
University
Wesley
Foundation
and
Howard
University
Wesley
Foundation.
