Why Should People of Faith Care?

In a new weekly series, we will be showcasing different resources from our website.
This week, we look at the section titled “Why should people of faith care?” It’s a question a lot of people ask us here are Faithful Voices. It’s true, there are so many things in this world to care about. Why should Marriage Equality be one of them?
From our website:
“All across Iowa, in many families and faith communities, Iowans are thoughtfully talking about whether and how to recognize a life commitment made by two men or two women in love. People of faith and goodwill who support marriage equality come to this place from a few different directions.”

To read more go here.

Don't let what happened in Maine happen in Iowa!

Here, on The Advocate, you can read about how a ballot measure to strike down Maine's gay marriage law passed yesterday.
While being sad and angry at this turn of events, we at Faithful Voices are looking towards the future, to the work still to be done, and to the hope tomorrow still holds.

Again, our Statewide Conference on Marriage Equality is going to provide skills and tools for people of faith to use so that what happened in Maine does not happen in Iowa. In addition to the workshops on dealing with conflict in congregations and having difficult conversations, there will also be workshops on advocacy and action. If you are someone who has decided how they feel about this issue, and decided you care about equality and protecting the separation between church and state, then please come to the conference and learn the skills to turn this belief into action. If you aren't sure about the issue yet, there are other workshops that will appeal to you.

You can register for the event on our website.

We hope you have all seen this already...

Just in case you have missed this video, something that has become almost as viral than "Numa Numa," take a look.

Faithful Voices Conference – We’ll be there…will you?

The Faithful Voices Statewide Conference on Marriage Equality is fast approaching. We want to make sure that everyone knows to register and register early.

Some of you faithful (pun intended) readers may think that you have nothing to gain from this conference. Perhaps your congregation has already become an open, affirming, and welcoming congregation. Maybe you are already involved as an advocate. Possibly, you just think you are beyond the need for further knowledge or skills relating to Marriage Equality.

To you we say: what makes you think that should stop you from coming to the conference? Has your entire community, town or city become open and affirming? Are you the most effective advocate you possibly could be? Have you already heard Harry Knox from the Human Rights Campaign, Rev. Dr. Weldon C. Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance and Anita Bradshaw, Ph.D. from the Institute of Welcoming Resources all speak on the very same day? No? Well then we think you definitely still have something to gain from coming to the conference.

If nothing else, come to meet some new faces and make connections with other progressive people of faith from all over Iowa.

The most important thing is that you register. We need to know how many lunches to order, how many nametags to make, how many workshops to have! Follow the link below, sign yourself up, and while you are at it, recruit two or three friends to come along. We’ll see you in November.

What: Faithful Voices Conference on Marriage Equality
Where: First Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa
When: November 19th 2009
How: Faithful Voices Registration
Why: To bring people of faith and goodwill together to create marriage equality in Iowa

Meet the new Program Coordinator for Faithful Voices

Friends,
I am overjoyed to be joining Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and I am so looking forward to moving the Faithful Voices program forward. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.
I grew up just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota in a little town called Excelsior. My mother is a UCC minister and my father is a retired actor. If I wasn’t in school I was always in a theatre or a church! After high school I attended Cottey College, a small liberal arts college for women in Southern Missouri. After my mother accepted a call to a church in Kansas City, I decided to remain in the Show-Me State and transferred to Mizzou (Go Tigers!). After my graduation I stayed in Columbia, where I have worked on a U.S. Congressional race, a gubernatorial campaign, a Union election and a Climate Change initiative. My faith has always been my core motivation for being involved in politics and the labor movement. I was raised in a denomination that puts an enormous emphasis on Peace and Justice, and that background has led me to dedicate my life to public service.
I believe strongly in the transformative power of community and in the importance of created family. Through the church, the Minneapolis theatre community, and other groups, my parents formed an extended family for my sister and I that made us the women we are today. That family has always included LGBT people, people who are like aunts and uncles to me, people who I never saw as “other.” As an adult, I feel that it is my moral responsibility to help ensure that more children in this world are raised in an atmosphere of love and acceptance, as I was. Being an ally is a role that I cherish, and it is an important part of who I am.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I value the freedom of religion that we enjoy in this country. I am grateful that I live in a place where I can worship and serve God in a way of my own choosing. Protecting this right is of the utmost importance, and the way to do it is to separate our civil and our religious lives.
My fiancé and I are delighted to be joining the Des Moines community and I hope we get to know many of you as we settle in.
Blessings,
Melisabeth Wright
Faithful Voices
Project Coordinator

“Acting on the faith that we are born with a meaning and purpose; a vocation and ministry that serves to strengthen and extend God’s realm of love.” – The Phoenix Affirmations

Call for New National Debate on Marriage Offers Framework for Civil Conversation

A Call to a New National Discussion on Marriage from President of national Interfaith Alliance

Rev. Welton Gaddy, President of Interfaith Alliance calls on American to have a new kind of national debate about marriage, one in which we find a way for people with contradictory beliefs, religions, values and opinions to live together without violating the basic nature of our democracy. Gaddy also holds up Iowa marriage ruling as a perfect example of civil marriage offered to all couples by the government and religious marriage offered by houses of worship only to those couples whose relationship a house of worship wants to bless.

Click here to read and download his entire article. or go to: http://www.interfaithalliance.org/equality/read

Hard copies of the green paper are also available from the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Office by contacting us at: (515)279-8715 or info@InterfaithAllianceIowa.org

Thanks Welton for this call to civil conversation.
Thanks Iowa for providing a path for the nation to protecting both Faith and Freedom.


Gaddy’s Call to Conversation Receives National Attention

National Interfaith Alliance paper on marriage sparks debate among national faith leaders about the nature of marriage and the relationship between religion and government. Questions considered include: What is marriage? Is it a sacred rite or a civil right? What role, if any, should religious institutions, traditions or beliefs have in the legal act of marriage?

Click here to check out the conversation here or go to http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/2009/07/marriage_sacred_rite_or_civil/all.html

High Court Rules Marriage is a Right for all Iowans!

For Release April 3, 2009

High Court Rules Marriage is a Right for all Iowans!

Supreme Court makes landmark decision to expand equal marriage rights to committed gay and lesbian couples.

Today the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in Varnum v. Brien that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same recognition and protection provided to other families under the law. "The Court's ruling shows Iowa is a place that celebrates fairness and equality for all Iowans," said Connie Ryan Terrell, executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, an organization which works to protect both faith and freedom. "It upholds the spirit of Iowa's constitution which clearly states each of us has the right to equal protection and recognition under the law."

"Today we are reminded that civil marriage is about commitment and responsibilities which are protected by law," said Rev. Matt Mardis-LeCroy, Board Chairperson of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and minister at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines. "We, along with many people of faith and goodwill across Iowa, celebrate the court's decision, which acknowledges the inherent worth of gay and lesbian families in our state."

"This opinion recognizes the important boundaries between the legal requirements for the civil institution of marriage and the theological requirements for the religious institution of marriage," stated Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, President of the national office of the Interfaith Alliance. "We believe this decision strengthens religious freedom because it leaves the choice over performing same-gender marriages with each house of worship to decide for itself. It strengthens civil rights by granting equal right for all citizens. Our organization stands for faith and freedom, and this opinion reflects both values."

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, unites diverse voices to champion religious freedom and respect for individual rights. We recognize that there is a broad diversity of opinion among people of faith about marriage equality, including many who are undecided. Interfaith Alliance of Iowa equips those who support marriage equality to be strong advocates. We will continue to work to ensure that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, have access to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage, to care for their families and contribute even more successfully to their communities.

NAACP board chair Julian Bond, speaks at HRC dinner

Check out this video of Julian Bond, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) board chair and long time civil rights activist, speaking at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner in Los Angeles on March 14th. With precision and occasional humor, Bond speaks to marriage equality as a civil rights issue and to some of the religious issues involved in making marriage equality a reality.

Oscar speech by screen writer for the movie Milk.

Check out this Oscar speech by the screen writer for the movie Milk. He reminds lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people that they too are beautiful children of God.

Welcome to Faithful Voices

Welcome to Faithful Voices, Iowans of faith and goodwill working for marriage equality in Iowa. We are working to ensure that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, have access to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage, to take care of their family and contribute even more successfully to their communities. We come from many faith traditions and beliefs. We are clergy and laity, gay and straight who, from our faith and sense of justice and compassion, are compelled to work for civil equality for Iowa families headed by gay and lesbian couples.

As a project of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, we unite diverse voices to champion religious freedom and respect for individual rights. Given it is the name of religion that is most often invoked by the vocal opponents of marriage equality, people of faith who support marriage equality have a particular responsibility and opportunity in helping make marriage equality a reality in Iowa. We recognize that there is a broad diversity of opinion among people of faith about marriage equality, including many who are undecided. Faithful Voices equips those who support marriage equality to be strong advocates and offers resources for those who need more information.

We invite you to join us. Add your faithful voice for equality.