LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
Today, gays and lesbians took another historic step forward in the march for equality as the Supreme Court of Mas-sachusetts ruled 4-3 that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution.
In its decision, the Court stated, "The state has no reason to ban same-sex marriage." Unlike the Canadian marriage court decision which was immediately implemented, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling ordered the state Legislature to come up with a solution within 180 days. The decision stopped short of allowing marriage licenses to be issued to the couples who challenged the law. In July of this year in Toronto, Canada, I legally wed my partner of 18 years, Phillip Ray DeBlieck. During our wedding, I told the press I believed that at least one state in the United States would rule in favor of same-sex marriage within five years. I had no idea this would happen in five months. I salute community leaders in Massachusetts who have worked tirelessly to bring equality to that state's marriage laws. I am especially pleased to recognize MCC clergyperson Rev. Joan Saniuk, whose work on behalf of marriage equality has made a profound difference in that state. Our work is not done, and this victory is not final. There is already a strong movement in the Massachusetts Legislature to circumvent this court ruling with an anti-gay amendment to the state constitution. History will view today's decision in Goodridge et. al. vs. Department of Public Health as one of the most significant steps in our ongoing struggle for GLBT equality under the law. Metropolitan Community Churches, which performs more than 6000 same-sex weddings each year, celebrate today's decision and reaffirms its work to assure that equality under the law is provided to all citizens. Rev. Troy D. Perry MCC Founder and Moderator On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers of the GLCCB, thank you for your contribution for our auction. Your support furthers the important work of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland. GLCCB is the only organization in the state of Maryland to serve our large and diverse community by providing meeting space, organizational support and so much more. Gay Life, our biweekly newspaper, is widely distributed and read in the Baltimore, Washington, Rehoboth Beach areas and beyond. Our recent Pride Festival was attended by thousands, and was a success by any standard. Your gift means you are helping in the efforts of the Center to be a viable presence in the community. Thank you for your support. Timothy Hurley, President Marc Beachy, Coordinator GLCCB Baltimore On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank CAMP Rehoboth for sponsoring and decorating a table at our Sixteenth Annual Thanksgiving Ball. The decorated tables are the highlight of the evening. The net proceeds from this year's event will help fund the Vision 2005 Capital Campaign. This campaign, the largest in the history of the Beebe Medical Center, will make possible the significant expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department and infrastructure improvements on the Savannah Road campus. The Campaign is also helping to support the construction of the new Outpatient Care Center on Route 24. We would like to thank you for your support of this annual event. Marcia J. Marvel, Director Beebe Medical Foundation Editor's note: CAMP Rehoboth's table, decorated by Murray Archibald, won the blue ribbon for Most Creative Table. |
Send letters to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 39 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth, DE 19971, or e-mail: editor@camprehoboth.com. Include your name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 15 November 26, 2003 |