As the Rhode Island Senate nears a vote on marriage equality, a myriad of religious groups and leaders have rallied and are working to see the legislation passed.
From the HRC Blog:
Among the amazing volunteers working with the campaign have been a myriad of faith communities. The Episcopal Bishop Nicholas Knisely, the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis, the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran New England Synod James Hazelwood, the Rhode Island Council of Churches and the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry have all come forward to endorse the campaign. In addition, a new faith group, Catholics for Marriage for Marriage Equality, formed to give a voice to lay Catholics in support of the freedom to marry. The group has over 200 members and is adding members daily.
The activation of faith communities was evidenced during the Senate committee hearings. Fourteen clergy members testified in favor of marriage equality. Many of them stayed until 5:00 in the morning to have their turn to speak. It was demonstrated again last Sunday when the denomination heads of both the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association traveled to Rhode Island to speak for marriage equality. Over 300 people rallied, prayed, and sang with them. People of faith have been having heartfelt conversations with their senators in congregations across the state about marriage and have helped the campaign make a video against proposed exemption language.