Lesbian Mayor To Marry In African-American Church

[Blue_Tires]

Openly lesbian Cambridge, Massachusetts Mayor E. Denise Simmons will marry her longtime partner Mattie B. Hayes Sunday, August 30. The couple will exchange vows in a predominantly African-American church, a possible historic first.

“I believe this may be the very first African-American church to hold a same gender wedding, and that's something that just wouldn't have happened years ago,” Simmons said in a press release.

“But times are changing, people are becoming more accepting of their fellow citizens, and we are slowly arriving at more of a 'live-and-let-live' kind of world,” she added.

The ceremony will take place at the historic St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church near Harvard Square and will be conducted by Rev. Leslie K. Sterling.

The announcement of an Episcopal Church blessing a lesbian marriage comes quick on the heels of a historic church vote that gives bishops the discretion to bless gay unions, especially in states where gay marriage or civil unions are legal.

http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4425&MediaType=1&Category=26

[Uzybone]

1. good to hear

I wish them the best. Hopefully this will become less of an isolated event across our country.

[firedupdem]

2. Excellent News! I hope times are changing and people become

more accepting.

[bliss_eternal]

3. This is great news...

...but Simmons comment may be erroneous (and/or a tad presumptive). In that there are other AA churches that have held same sex services.

To my knowledge, these tend to be episcopalian, non-denominational and UU (Unitarian Universalist) churches. We just don't hear about them, as most aren't going to publicize or release press around such a service. This being an "out" mayor, perhaps she wants to use her status to bring about awareness (which is wonderful:applause:).

I'm aware of a couple of other churches w/large AA populations that perform such services. I learned of others in the documentary Jumping the Broom, a feature about same sex African American couples. I also learned how some didn't want to "publicize" the fact that they are glbt to broader audiences.

Some of this (I think) is shared in the link I posted here, in comments by the director:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=258&topic_id=6642&mesg_id=7214



Congratulations to Mayor E. Denise Simmons and her partner Mattie B. Hayes!
:party::toast::bounce:

[Number23]

4. Fabulous. Wow, she's been in the news alot lately

First Gates now this! :)

I hope they send pictures to that anti-gay marriage minister in DC who keeps acting as though he speaks for all black people.

[noiretextatique]

5. i don't think this is the first AA chruch to have a gay wedding

in fact, i know it isn't. perhaps the first big, prominent black church.

[bliss_eternal]

6. i agree.....

...see my post above. though this is probably the first to issue a press release, announcing the event. ;)