Minister protests same-sex union ban with a halt to all weddings

"An Episcopal minister will stop performing all wedding ceremonies to protest the denomination's prohibition of same-sex unions.
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"We are called to join the fast that our homosexual brothers and sisters in Christ have had to observe all their lives," said the Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, rector of Grace Episcopal Church.

Several members of the congregation say they support Hirschfeld's move, which he announced in his Sunday sermon. Others said they were concerned that that the move might add to the polarization of an issue that has already divided Episcopals.

Erica Winter, of Northampton, said working for social justice often involves giving up something.

"I'm so proud to be a part of this," Nina Scott, a congregant from Amherst, said. "It's a step that needs to be taken."

Two priest associates at Grace Church, the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Burton Whiteside, also said they won't perform marriages."

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What? This is one of the most absurd things i've heard of recently. To show that they support gay marraige they are going to ban straight marraige? Or at least make a weak half-hearted attempt to. You would think these people want to encourage people to support gay unions. If they did, denying straight couples the chance to marry probably isnt the way to go. But who am I to comment on this? Obviously, "It's a step that needs to be taken.", right?

Hey, what a keen way to support peoples civil rights. You take everyone else's civil rights away! Hooray! My position is a bit over the top, sure people can just go to other reverends to get married. Can you imagine if all of them supported that sort of thing though? I think that these rev's are just being drama queens. They know that this is just symbolic gesture that has no real weight. It's too bad. Maybe they should do something... you know... meaningful, to support this cause instead.