Sayward heroic but not Little by Rev. Stephen R. Parelli, MCC Clergy To the Editor: Republican Assemblywoman Teresa R. Sayward of the 113th District, standing apart from many (if not most) in her party, has heroically voted for marriage equality in New York state. She is a mother, now, to many of us Republican gay sons and daughters who have been left behind by political party, church and family. I live in the Bronx with my same-sex partner of 12 years, married last August, 2008, in California. But, originally, I'm an upstate boy from the Syracuse area who vacationed in the Adirondacks and visited relatives on their farms in Central New York. I grew up in the homophobic, evangelical First Baptist Church of East Syracuse, attended its denominational college and seminary, and then pastored my first church in Chautauqua County. I'm a New York state boy. My Republican-fundamental parents live in Truxton. And today, they - like their conservative Baptist fellowship - will have nothing to do with me or my spouse because we are gay. Hence, Sayward becomes a surrogate mother for orphaned gay Republicans like me. Unforgivably, Sen. Betty Little, Republican, from Sayward's district, is not voting for marriage equality. Little needs to read the April 3, 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. The reasons given by the court for their decision will make you proud to be American and will shatter the myths that abound about religion, children, civil unions and other objections related to gay marriage. On this past Mother's Day, I phoned my mother. She refused to take the call, continuing the rejection religion imposes, hurting herself. So, Senator Little, when the vote comes to the Senate for marriage equality, will you stand with my dear mother who - out of ignorance, fear and in the name of God - timidly and graciously refused my call, or will you cast a vote for equality marriage and join Assemblywoman Sayward - a fellow Republican who has courageously broken with her party's popular platform? Certainly, my church has the prerogative to turn me away and defrock me; my family - as unnatural as it may seem - may also reject me; but my state, where liberty and justice for all must prevail, cannot and should not discriminate against me. Tell me, Senator Little, that you are different than my own mother who is unable to separate church from family. Tell me you can separate church from state by voting for marriage equality. Steve Parelli, M.Div. Executive director |
A Letter
to the
Editor by
Rev. Steve
to the
Editor by
Rev. Steve
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