Committed to

Loving

Healing

and Learning

by the Grace of God

for the Work of God

12 August 2003

The Right Honorable Jean Chrétien

Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister Chrétien:

I am writing to express my heartfelt support, and the heartfelt support of the congregation of Christos Metropolitan Community Church for proposed legislation granting equal rights to marry to lesbian and gay couples. Thank you for your courageous stand for equal marriage rights.

Some churches may have contacted you to oppose this legislation. But those who oppose it do not have a monopoly on speaking for God, and the Christian church does not speak with one voice on this issue. Some of us believe very strongly that God calls us to seek justice for all people. Therefore, I am writing on behalf of Christos Metropolitan Community Church, in support of the legislation, because we strongly believe that this is an issue of justice and equality, and because we understand that God loves all people equally and God blesses loving, committed same-sex relationships (as well as heterosexual unions).

We also believe that suggestions that the government create some kind of "two-tiered" relationship, reserving "marriage" exclusively for heterosexual unions, are wrong. Any approach that would create a "separate but equal" system is, by definition, unequal, and would, we believe, be an affront to Canada’s Charter of Rights. The government must demonstrate a commitment to the equal rights of all of its citizens. The legislation as proposed more than protects the rights of all religious communities to marry whom they see fit.

The people of Christos Metropolitan Community Church devoutly hope that you will continue to work towards legislation granting equal rights to lesbian and gay people in every aspect of civil life, and especially with respect to the right to marry legally. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Deana Frances Dudley