Dear MCC Friend:

What a glorious, wonderful day!

On Monday, March 14, the Superior Court of California ruled in favor of my lawsuit seeking legal marriage rights for LGBT couples.

With this decision, California became the third state in the U.S., following Massachusetts and New York, where courts have ruled to legalize same-sex marriage. Praise God!

This historic ruling accomplished two major objectives:

-- The court ruled that there was no governmental interest to prohibit the granting of civil marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Based on the California constitution, marriage licenses must be made available to LGBT couples.

-- The court effectively overturned California's Proposition 22, the state initiative that prevented the recognition of legal marriages from Massachusetts, or legal marriages, such as Phillip's and mine, which took place under Canadian law. This part of the ruling was especially important to me, from a very personal standpoint.

Phillip and I have been so touched by the many kind messages of support we have received in the past 24 hours. We have heard from so many friends and we draw strength and encouragement from your words. Among the many greetings was a note from Evan Wolfson, of Freedom to Marry, who wrote, "Dear Troy: Mazel tov on yesterday's beautiful ruling. I am so proud of all of you (and all of us); we are shaping history!"

As I write these words, it has been 24 hours since the court's ruling was issued.

Here are the key thoughts I'd like to share with you today:

First, I believe that prayer changes things! I am so thankful for each of you who have remembered Phillip and me with your prayers. I believe in a God who hears and answers our prayers.

Second, as I have often said and preached, God always makes room for the exception! When Phillip and I began this lawsuit in February of 2004, I was astounded by the number of well-meaning but negative voices who told us the odds were stacked against us, and that this lawsuit was a strategic mistake. Yesterday afternoon, I sat in the press conference surrounded by banks of TV cameras and print reporters and thought, "Almost everything I have accomplished in this life, with God's help, I had first been told why it was a mistake and why I shouldn't do it." May we always exercise boldness in seeking justice, and may we always listen to and follow the still small voice of God.

Third, for the past 36 years, MCC has worked for marriage equality. Our commitment to social justice is not and has never been separate from our faith -- it is motivated by our deep Christian faith.

Fourth, I am so thankful that the California courts added the later San Francisco case to our earlier lawsuit. We have the great joy of knowing that our court victory also secured a victory for all the wonderful same-sex couples who received civil marriage licenses in San Francisco in 2004.

Fifth, Phillip and I are so proud that MCC's friends and members have permitted our lawsuit to take place. While attorney Gloria Allred and her law firm have donated all of their time without charge to this case, MCC paid the filing fees for this historic case. In a real sense, our victory is your victory!

Sixth, while this ruling is a major step forward, it is not the end. The foes of human rights and the opponents of equality may well appeal this court ruling. Please continue to hold us in your prayers. We return to court on March 30 for a status report, and the judge may well order that marriage licenses be granted to same-sex couples that day.

One of my favorite old gospel songs says, "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be." As I listened to the words of the court ruling this week, I felt I was almost there.

In Christ,

/signed/
The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches



To read the full text of the court decision, visit: http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/glrts/lckyrsf81204OPN.pdf



From Monday's Press Conference:
A Statement by
The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

March 14, 2005

In 1969, I performed the first public same-sex wedding in the United States. The ceremony took place in Huntington Park, California.

In 1970, I filed the first lawsuit in California history seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages.

We lost that first court case, but we started three and a half decades of work and dialogue and activism to achieve marriage equality.

We thank God for today's victory.

My partner, Phillip, and I are part of a Christian family. Both of our parents were married. We have always wanted to follow the example they set for us – to be married – and we have wanted to be treated equally under the laws of our state.

Phillip and I have wanted two things:

First, we wanted our commitment to be blessed by our church. And it has been. In July, 2003, Phillip and I stood at the altar of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, and said our wedding vows to each other and to God.

Second, we wanted out commitment to be treated the same as any other couple under the law. Canada gave us that right. But the state of California did not.

Let me say this: Today's court ruling is not about gay rights.

It is not about special rights.

It is all about equality.

It says our love is of no less value than that of our neighbors.

It says the law must treat all people equally.

Today's ruling is a victory for all people – and a victory for the American ideal of equality.

I have worked for this day and prayed for this day for 35 years. Today, our prayers were answered.
 

(END)