Same-sex weddings to begin at Washington National Cathedral (Wash Post)

[pinto]

Same-sex weddings to begin at Washington National Cathedra


By Michelle Boorstein, Published: January 8

Washington National Cathedral — the seat of the Episcopal Church, one of the world’s largest cathedrals and the host of the official prayer service for the presidential inauguration later this month — has decided to start hosting same-sex weddings.

In some ways, the announcement that is expected Wednesday morning is unsurprising for a denomination and a diocese that long ago took up the cause of marriage equality. But the cathedral’s stature and the image of same-sex couples exchanging vows in the soaring Gothic structure visited by a half-million tourists each year is symbolically powerful.

Even though it is known that the Episcopal Church, a small but prominent part of American Christianity, has been supportive of equality for gay men and lesbians, “it’s something for us to say we are going to do this in this very visible space where we pray for the president and where we bury leaders,” said the Rev. Gary Hall, who became dean of Washington National Cathedral in the fall. “This national spiritual space is now a place where [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people can come and get married.”

As attention, political capital and lobbying dollars have been focused on fights over civil marriage, organized religion has been slow to embrace rights for same-sex couples. The vast majority of houses of worship don’t host blessings or weddings for people of the same gender.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/washington-national-cathedral-to-start-holding-same-sex-weddings/2013/01/08/ed72c5f0-59f1-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html?hpid=z3l

[dlwickham]

1. very cool

[okasha]

2. Good on 'em!

I've seen some beautiful trial services for same_sex weddings and even an old_fashioned betrothal ceremony in which the congregation pledges to supportt the couple in their married life.

Petrer Akinola is no doubt having a bad day.

[kwassa]

3. same place Reagan and Ford had their funerals ....

The previous assistant rector of my church, who has moved on to be rector at another church, had her same-sex marriage performed on the Cathedral grounds about 18 months ago. The Bishop of Washington, John Bryson Chane, offered to perform the ceremony in the Cathedral itself, but the brides choose to have the ceremony in a gazebo in the Cathedral garden.

[hrmjustin]

4. We Episcopalians rock!

I wish all churches did this.

[okasha]

6. More will follow suit.

Pagans have been handfasting gay and Lesbian couples for a couple decades now. As more states sign on for equal marriage, those will become legal marriages, too.

[cbayer]

5. Excellent! What a venue for a wedding.