Rev. Robert M. Hardies and lay leaders from All Souls are among the organizers of a coalition of clergy from every ward in the District of Columbia who joined forces to call on all people in DC to engage in a respectful and loving dialogue on marriage equality and to support the gay marriage bill. The DC Council passed that bill on December 14, 2009, Mayor Fenty signed it into law (right here at All Souls) on December 18, and on March 9, the first same-sex couples were married (including one couple at All Souls). Here you'll find links to press coverage of this important civil rights movement.
Rev. Hardies' letter to the congregation of All Souls Church and the Declaration of Religious Support for Marriage Equality.
Here's a video from the UUA's Standing on the Side of Love program.
Soulful Voices for Marriage Equality
On Thursday, October 29, 2009, hundreds of people of faith from across DC (including many from All Souls) gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church--a congregation built by freed slaves--to lift a voice for marriage equality. Watch a video digest of this diverse, spirit-filled, justice-seeking celebration.
Rev. Hardies testifies before the DC Council
On Monday, October 26, 2009, at what may have been its largest public hearing ever, the DC Council heard testimony for and against marriage equality. Here is Rev. Hardies' contribution.
WAMU slideshow
WAMU covered All Souls' October 11, 2009 service, Standing on the Side of Love. Listen to the radio piece and view the accompanying slideshow here. (Photos and audio by Mana Rabbie; produced by Keosha Johnson)
Watch Rev. Hardies' address at the June 2, 2009 press conference:
All Souls prophetic leadership on marriage equality dates back several years.
2006-6-5. Rev. Hardies testified on Capitol Hill against the federal marriage amendment and spoke at the national press club. Read Rev. Hardies' remarks and listen to some excerpts.
