Church takes stand on all civil unions

04/11/2006

The Lyndale United Church of Christ congregation voted Sunday to have the Minneapolis church stop performing civil marriages because such marriages aren’t accessible to gay couples.

“I will officiate at only religious marriages for same and opposite gender couples alike. I will no longer sign marriage licenses as an agent of the state of Minnesota, until the state of Minnesota recognizes the loving commitment of all couples,” said Pastor Don Portwood.

With the vote, the church became the second in the state to refuse to perform civil marriages. White Bear Unitarian Universalist church made a similar move a few years ago.

They joined a smattering of churches across the country refusing to perform civil marriages for opposite-sex couples because same-sex couples are not allowed to marry.

—Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Pioneer Press