Solidarity statement on same-sex blessings

from Student Christian Movement of Canada

Last weekend, both the Anglican and Lutheran churches in Canada rejected proposals to permit blessings of same-sex unions. The decisions were widely debated and publicized.

In the wake of these decisions, the Student Christian Movement of Canada would like to express our solidarity with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers in the churches. You have struggled long and hard to be recognized, affirmed and blessed as full and equal children of God. You have endured abstract and often ignorant debates centered on you as though no sexual minorities or allies were present to speak for yourselves. But of course, you have spoken! And you have been heard.

As one member of Lutherans Concerned expressed following the loss, achieving rights for sexual minorities in our churches is a marathon strategy, not a sprint race. This was not a defeat but another step, and more seeds were planted for future tending.

SCM’s 1990 resolution on Sexuality & Homophobia pledges us as a movement to “struggle to overcome sexism and heterosexism in all aspects of society; to challenge each other within the SCM to be in right relation; … (and) to affirm the holiness found in the diversity of ways we express our sexualities.”

SCM Canada would like to commend our sisters and brothers in the Lutheran and Anglican churches for daring to proclaim a Gospel of justice and belonging for all. We believe this to be at the heart of the kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus. We also encourage the struggle to continue. We will strive to do our part, too, working with students ecumenically on our Queer & Christian Without Contradiction campaign, and hope we will be good allies and fellow pilgrims.

As SCM Canada’s mission statement reminds us, “Proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world. This we offer as a living prayer.”

May this living prayer, and all of our prayers, lead us onward towards the justice-filled reign of God. To all those working for justice and love in and out of our churches, we at SCM Canada give deep thanks and are with you for as long as it takes. You will be in our prayers.

(statement passed unanimously by SCM Canada's national board, June 29, 2007)

Student Christian Movement of Canada
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