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SERVING WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA’S LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED COMMUNITY
ALL SOULS TO BLESS SAME-SEX UNIONS
by Carolyn Ogburn
A WONDERFUL SHOCK
On Sunday, September 24, 2000, the
Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore
Village made public its decision to bless
the unions of same sex couples.
According to an interview with the
Very Reverend Todd Donatelli, the
church was not trving to make a state
ment. "We are simply trying to take
care of the needs of our congregation."
Nevertheless, a statement was made.
Just prior to last Sunday's sermon,
members of the Parish Council joined
before the congregation and announced
their mutual decision to support the gay
and lesbian members of the Parish by
performing same sex unions and recom
mitment ceremonies. "It was a shock,
honestly," one parishioner told me. "A
wonderful shock. And when the con
gregation burst into applause, tears
were running down my face. I sure did
n't bring enough tissue last week!"
The Council joined the congregation for
the rest of the service, which continued
with Reverend Donatelli's calling for
those who were in agreement with the
parish decision to respect the silence of
those members of the church who were
not clapping. In the following week,
Donatelli heard from many members of
the congregation who support the
motion. A few parishioners have chosen
to find another church; others continue
to feel a part of the congregation,
"agreeing to disagree." For many
months, the Parish Council had been
meeting to address the issues faced by
the Cathedral and its parishioners. The
blessing of same sex union was only one
of many needs that were voiced during
this time, but it was clearly one of the
more controversial. While the
Universalist Unitarian Church, the
Metropolitan Community Church, and
the Unity Church of Christianity have
openly affirmed their support for gay
and lesbian unions,, the Episcopal
Church at its 73rd General Convention
stopped just' short of such an affirma
tion. In a passage from the resolution on
Human Sexuality that was distributed to
the members of All Souls prior to last
weeks' service, the Church acknowl
edged that "there are currently couples
in the Body of Christ and in this Church
who are living in marriage, and couples
who are living in other life-long commit
ted relationships...(and the Church) will
provide for them in the prayerful sup
port, encouragement and pastoral care
necessary to live faithfully by them."
The Cathedral has the support of
Western North Carolina's Bishop
Robert Johnson, but Donatelli expects
that not every parish in the Diocese will
look kindly on the Cathedral's inclusive
act. "My heart rate will probably pick
up a few beats when I stand in front of
(the other Church leaders)," admitted
Donatelli. But it is clear that he is com
mitted to steering the Cathedral closer
to full inclusion of the GLBT communi
ty members. "If we limit ourselves to
speaking only through authorized
channels, we do not have a community:
we have a pseudo-community",
Donatelli declared during the following
Sunday's service. "Does God confine
the gift of the Spirit to authorized chan
nels? When we raise questions that
All Souls continued on page 8
PRIDE PAC
ENDORSEMENTS
ANNOUNCED
LGBT GROUP ACTIVE IN COUNCIL
OF STATE RACES FOR FIRST
TIME
Raleigh - Equality North Carolina
Political Action Committee has
announced its endorsements for the
November 7 General Election. This
round of endorsements marks a num
ber of exciting firsts for the organization
and North Carolina's lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender community.
This year, the statewide LGBT political
organization is active in the race for
Governor for the first time, endorsing
Democrat Mike Easley. During. a
meeting with representatives of ENC
PAC in April, Easley became the first
candidate for Governor in North
Carolina history to actively seek the
support of the LGBT community.
At that meeting, Easley expressed
strong support for the organization's
legislative agenda. As Attorney
General, Easley has already demon
strated a commitment to fighting bias
violence, and is committed to support
ing hate crime legislation that includes
sexual orientation and gender identity.
In another round of firsts, ENC PAC
met with and endorsed candidates for
the Council of State and Court of
Appeals. These candidates pledged to
use their offices to help advance equal
ity for LGBT North Carolinians.
"It is very gratifying that so many can
didates, especially for the Council of
Pride Pac continued on page 18