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Compiled By GayToday
Los Angeles, California--Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder and Moderator of the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), is deeply troubled by a bill
approved February 8 by the Utah state Senate targeting polygamy and in
the process, making the performing of a marriage for a same-sex couple a felony.
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 Utah State
Senator Ron Allen |
UFMCC is an inclusive worldwide fellowship of Christian congregations with a
special outreach to the world's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered
communities. Since its founding in 1968 by Rev. Perry, UFMCC has grown into a
denomination of approximately 45,000 members in 300 churches in 18 countries.
The bill, called SB 146, was sponsored by Senator Ron Allen (D-Stansbury Park).
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Senator Allen states that he is interested only in offering protections for girls, some who, as
young as 13, have been coerced into polygamous arrangements he views as
child abuse. According to Senator Allen, the clause that targets those who
knowingly perform a prohibited marriage (regardless of the age of the parties
involved) was more incidental.
Rev. Troy D. Perry and Rev. Jim Morgan, pastor of Sacred Light of Christ
Metropolitan Community Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, are noting this recent
development in Utah with concern. For UFMCC, the legality of same-sex
marriages is at the forefront of civil rights for gay and lesbian
couples.
Rev. Troy D. Perry states:
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Related Sites:
Utah State Senate
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"The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches supports same-sex marriages in Utah and anywhere else in
the world. We do not believe that our clergy in Utah or any other clergy who
perform marriages for same-sex couples should be considered felons and we
will stand behind all those who wish to celebrate the union of two consenting
adults by officiating that very special ceremony."
SB 146 moves next to the Utah House. A similar anti-polygamy measure will
soon be brought before the state Senate of Arizona.
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