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10/26/2009
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Staff photo by Andy Molloyfrom the Kennebec Journal
Maine getting less swine flu vaccine than promised
State's public election fund disappearing
In hearing on Fort Hood shootings, Collins hits failure to 'connect dots'
AUGUSTA City defends new radio operation
FOES OF GAY VOWS FACE PROBE
AUGUSTA City sued in police crash
NHL: Bergeron lifts Bruins
Dumoulin fitting in at BC
All of today's:
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from the Morning Sentinel
Panel OKs consolidation proposal for SADs 13, 74
Swine flu vaccine lacking for many in key groups
WATERVILLE Petition seeks to revoke TIF of housing plan Neighbors say they didn't know it was to aid low-income people
Collins, panel probe background of Fort Hood shootings
ELECTION FUND CAUSES CONCERN
SOMERSET COUNTY Last of fair robbery trio sentenced
NHL: Bergeron lifts Bruins
Dumoulin returns to play Black Bears
All of today's:
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from the Morning Sentinel
Waddell, of Litchfield, doesn't understand why anyone should be deprived of that same wonderful feeling of belonging and security that comes with being married to someone they love, just because they're gay.
"It feels different, being married," said Waddell, who described himself as a "straight ally" of gay marriage. "It feels more secure. More permanent. Marilyn and I have been married 23 years. But my heart still does a little flip whenever she introduces me as her husband. I want others to be able to get that little flip. Gay people don't want special rights. They just want the same rights straight people have."
If the banner on the outside wall of the church didn't make it clear, the singing inside should have removed any doubt where most of the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Augusta stands on gay marriage.
The banner read: "Standing on the side of LOVE."
Inside, during special Sunday services filled with heartfelt speeches embracing gay marriage, church members and a 20-person chorus stood and joined together for a rousing rendition of the song "Stand," which includes the chorus: "I will stand with you -- will you stand with me. And we will be the change -- that we hope to see. In the name of love -- in the name of peace. Will you stand, will you stand with me?"
Church leaders decided to have a special service just one week before Mainers go to the polls to decide Question 1, a proposal to ban same-sex marriage, on the state referendum.
Numerous Catholic churches have also had sermons which mentioned the upcoming vote. One Sunday in September, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Bishop Richard Malone had parishes take up a second collection plate from parishioners, with funds going to support Stand for Marriage Maine, the political action committee pushing to repeal same-sex marriage.
Unitarian Universalist Community Church leaders said they felt it was important to show not all churches are against people of the same sex marrying.
"It is important to have a liberal religious voice, because the public voice of religion is often the conservative voice," said Debbie Mattson, of Hallowell, president of the church's board of directors. "One of our principles is to make the world a more just place."
The Rev. Carie Johnsen invited the many children in attendance at the beginning of the service -- before they left for religious exploration sessions outside the service -- up to sit with her as she read Robert Kutch's "Who's in a Family," a children's story describing the many different kinds of families, including families with single moms, and two parents of the same sex.
Johnsen said the Unitarian Universalist denomination is, at its core, a justice ministry. She said the Augusta congregation has long welcomed gay people to the church.
Kathy Kellison, of Windsor, said the relationship between she and her lover, JoAnne, is missing something very special -- getting married as friends and family come together to celebrate.
"I know I'm being denied my civil rights," she said of gay people potentially not being able to marry. "But to me, equally as important, I'm being denied the blessings of my culture. I believe love feels pretty much the same, regardless of the sexes of those involved. Romance is romantic. Love is lovely, and that is what marriage is for."
Dan Sorensen of Mount Vernon, an 82-year-old widower who fought in World War II, said it is very wrong that his daughter, Tove, can't get married like his two straight children can, simply because her partner is a woman.
He said his daughter and her partner, Cindy, live in California and are raising two young nieces whom they hope to adopt.
Sorensen said one of the girls, age nine, asked why Tove and Cindy don't get married. She asked if they were doing something illegal.
"It doesn't matter, to me, that Tove and Cindy aren't married, Cindy is my daughter-in-law," Sorensen said. "But it matters to them. So it matters to me. There is no harm to anyone if Tove and Cindy get married. And there is no harm to those two little girls."
Keith Edwards -- 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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