The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted an interfaith meeting aimed at unifying predominately African-American congregations in support of marriage equality Feb. 26.
Religious leaders from multiple denominations and religions gathered at Progressive Community Church in Bronzeville, to review a letter drafted by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss II, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, and Rev. Dr. B. Herbert Martin, of Progressive Community Church. The letter is addressed to Illinois House legislators who will be voting on Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
"I'm very nervous when anyone else wants to infringe on someone else's rights," said Moss. "I think the Black church, especially the Black church, shouldn't be infringing on another person's rights."
The letter strikes down major faith-based arguments against majority equality, including pointing out that members of the clergy or religious institutions are not held legally accountable should they elect not to acknowledge any civil marriage that is not compatible with their beliefs.
As stated in the letter: "There is no doubt people who are same-gender loving occupy a prominent space in the body of Christ. We recognize the fingerprint of the divine upon all humanity. We also acknowledge that God's ethic of love charges us to support the civil rights of all members of the human community."
"There's a difference of perspectives on same-sex marriage," said Rev. MacArthur Flournoy, deputy director of the religion and faith program for HRC. "Quite simply, it's a matter of justice and equality … that is in line with the values of people of faith."
Twenty clergy members signed on in support of the letter, which was later delivered to legislators for the committee hearing on SB 10. The committee approved the bill that same day, and it is currently awaiting a vote on the House floor.
"People hold a variety of views [on marriage equality], but it's not about any one person legislating their faith. We live our faith, not legislate our faith," said Flournoy. "We're talking about public policy, not faith. … At the end of the day, it's about equality."