It all started with our wedding: the be-medaled uniforms on one side, the prochoice buttons on the other.  Nope, nope, it started with the intervention, the dinner at which my friends planned to confront the self-delusional rationalization that I, the leftwing columnist, had contrived for accepting the proposal of a Marine. A Marine colonel, no less. Problem was, it turned out they liked him.

And he met my political litmus tests: He is prochoice, figures sexual orientation is irrelevant in battle, and actually gives thought to California’s unbridled ballot measures. Our marriage proceeded, and we’ve been playing house ever since, despite occasionally cancelling out each other’s votes.

Then, when Prop. 8 passed in 2008, my response was to staple a sign to our front gate: I DO Support the Freedom to Marry.

My husband came home, and the conversation went something like this:

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This article is by Gil Caldwell, a retired United Methodist minister and member of Soulforce’s Advisory Board. He was active in the Massachusetts unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and participated in the civil-rights movement throughout the nation.

To: Persons, Religious Institutions and Organizations in California that are elated over the decision of Judge Walker vis-a-vis Proposition 8

As an African American retired Minister (United Methodist Church), I have been in occasional communication with persons and groups in California. This morning I read in the New York Times that “Gov. Arnold Scwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed motions on Friday calling for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state.” I was pleased to read that, and I believe that rather than being retired, if I were pastor of a Church I would lead my congregation in prayers this week-end, expressing hope for a positive response to the motions for resumption of same sex marriages filed by the California Governor and Attorney General.

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