Ponsonby’s Auckland Unitarian Church has erected a banner declaring it’s the “Proud Home of NZ’s First Same-Sex Wedding” and many of its members gear up to march in Auckland Pride Parade. They will take part alongside members of the alongside Auckland Rainbow Community Church. Unitarian Universalism is lgbti friendly and welcomes people from our communities, for their full inclusion in both the church and society. It’s also one of few religious traditions to ordain openly lgbti people and says it’s also proud to perform marriages for couples, regardless of their gender. In 2013, it stepped in to host a same-sex wedding run by radio station ZM when St Matthew's in the City was unable to hold the full religious ceremony, due to Anglican policy. As part of Auckland Pride Festival, Auckland Unitarians have invited two gay men who have struggled with less inclusive Christian traditions to speak about their journeys. On 15 February author Jim Marjoram will speak. He was the target of a hateful email from a “Christian” pastor that went viral on social media. On 22 February Geno Sisneros will feature. He took the Anglican Bishop of Auckland to the Human Rights Tribunal when refused access to the ordination process because he was gay and in a committed relationship. All are welcome to attend. More details here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 13th February 2015 - 11:07am