Steps in a Positive Direction: The Washington National Cathedral planning on Performing Same-Sex Marriages

Over the years, same-sex couples in the United States have fought to share the same rights as opposite-sex couples do in love and marriage. Several states have recognized marriage as a constitutional right to everyone despite sexual orientation.  There are also several states that recognize same-sex civil unions that tend to offer the same benefits as opposite-sex marriages. The movement for the federal government and other state governments to recognize this constitutional right still continues. Within this movement is the question where is the line drawn between discrimination and upholding one’s beliefs for religious institutions when they deny same-sex marriage.

Within the religious community, different religious organizations are upholding what they believe is the “right” answer to this question. Among the religious organizations answering this question is the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Brett Zongker, NBCNews Writer, reported that the religious organization will be among the first Episcopal congregations to implement a “new rite of marriage” for homosexual, bisexual and transgender members. An announcement about the new policy is planned on Wednesday.

Zongker reports that the decision to change the marriage policy was influenced by same-sex marriage legislation passing in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Rev. Mariann Edgar Buddle, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Zongker reports, decided in December to expand the Christian marriage sacrament to be more inclusive and diverse. Budde’s decision affects the District of Columbia and four counties in Maryland. Zongker explains this decision is allowed under a ‘local option’ granted by the church’s General Convention, which allows each priest in the diocese to decide whether or not to perform same-sex marriages.

The Washington National Cathedral’s decision is crucial considering its media exposure, high tourism traffic, and its influential power. Zongker describes the religious organization as the “spiritual center of the nation hosting presidential inaugural services and funerals for Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford,” and “the nation’s most prominent church” where this “decision carries huge symbolism.” This could be a crucial step in a positive direction for same-sex marriage legislation.