Regrettable Words: A Response

As an African American Minister who is a straight LGBT Ally, I disagree with Rev. Collier’s views on marriage equality (found in the Kansas City Star).
 
Rev. Collier’s first point was that the definition of marriage was assigned by God.  If our country was a theocracy and govern by a religious leader and a church body, then this type of thinking would be applicable.  Because we are a country without an assigned religious belief, laws based on one’s religious beliefs should not be a part of our fabric.  There was a time in our American history when African Americans and women were  denied civil rights based on other’s religious beliefs.
 
Rev. Collier’s second point that civil rights for gays is not equivalent to civil rights for African Americans has been challenged by many of those who were in the forefront of the Black Civil Rights Movement.
 
 On March 23, 2004, the late Coretta Scott King told an audience at that  same sex marriage is a civil rights issue. She denounced a proposed amendment advanced by then President, George Bush to the US Constitution that would ban equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. In her speech King also criticized a group of black pastors in her home state of Georgia for backing a bill to amend that state’s constitution to block gay and lesbian couples from marrying. She stated that ”Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of ga gay-bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriage.”
 
Likewise, former civil rights leader Julian Bond has stated in regards to marriage equality and the black community,
 
“Black people, of all people, should not oppose equality. And that is what gay marriage represents.
 
It does not matter the rationale – religious, cultural, pseudo-scientific. No people of goodwill should oppose marriage equality. And they should not think that civil unions are a substitute. At best, civil unions are separate but equal. And we all know separate is never equal.”
 
Rev. Collier’s third point was that he and all Christian leaders reject bigotry, hatred or disrespect toward gays and lesbians and should affirm the lgbt as persons of dignity. 
 
Denying legal marriage to lgbt people is not affirmation.  Denying marriage equality for the lgbt community based on your religious beliefs is bigotry.
 
 
Lastly, Rev. Collier stated that “In a democracy, the people decide their laws. Persuasively, people in 32 states, when given a chance, have consistently recognized marriage as between one man and one woman. In the sight of God, they are right!”
 
I am thankful to God that the people did not have a chance to vote on my rights as a black man.
Many during the 50′s and 60′s believed that segregation was right in the sight of God based on their interpretations of scriptures.
 
Rev. Gerald Palmer, MSW
Word for the Soul Ministries
Kansas City, MO