On August 4, 2010 a federal judge overturned California’s ban on same-sex marriages (Proposition 8) as unconstitutional. The judge ruled that Prop 8 violates the constitutional right of equal protection under the law. As an open and affirming church, Brea Congregational United Church of Christ supports this decision. We believe that Prop 8 violates the Biblical claim that we are all God’s creation, and that God has declared creation to be good. We believe there is no biblical justification for denying same-sex relationships or same-sex marriages. As people of faith committed to hospitality, justice and transformation, we are firm supporters of marriage equality and rejoice in this milestone decision, rejecting the notion that it in any way threatens “traditional” marriage.
On June 26, 2015, in a 5-4 ruling by the United States Supreme Court, the ban on same-sex marriage was made unconstitutional across the country, requiring all states to license marriage of same-sex couples and to recognize those marriages held out-of-state. While this monumental decision has been a giant leap forward for LGBTQ rights, it is not without continued opposition. We stand in solidarity with people of all sexual orientations and pray for the day when the right to love and to marry whomever one chooses is the permanent law of the land.