Local same-sex couples support Freedom to Marry

DETROIT – When the County Clerk's Office opens on Friday, February 13, during Valentine's Week, Bryan Parker will be waiting in line for a marriage license.
He will be standing in line with his partner Craig Anderson despite a pending vote of Michigan Senate and House of Representatives to amend the Michigan Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Bryan Parker and Craig Anderson are among thousands of gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples around the world who believe there should be equality under the marriage laws.
"We're asking for equal rights. We're simply asking for equality under the law and for an end to discrimination in marriage," said Parker.
Bryan and Craig are part of a world-wide movement working to end discrimination in the marriage laws. According to officials at the Freedom To Marry Collaborative, "The act of getting married is invested with public, historical, and spiritual significance, and is emotionally charged for the individuals involved, as well as society. Until lesbian and gay couples have the freedom to marry, discrimination in civil marriage will remain a profound barrier to achieving complete equality for lesbians and gay men."
"Crossing the Detroit River to get married is very tempting for us, but we are
Americans.ÊIt is painful to think that our relationship has more value to our Canadian neighbors than it does to the country and state we love, were born in and pay taxes to," said Parker.
Bryan and Craig are active members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit and are following the example of Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder of the predominantly GLBT Metropolitan Community Churches, which have more than 43,000 members and adherents in 22 countries. Perry is a former member of the Los Angeles Human Rights Commission and a past delegate to the White House Conference on Hate Crimes whose 300 Metropolitan Community Churches perform more than 6000 same-sex weddings every year.
Perry is encouraging gays, lesbians and bisexuals to call attention to discrimination in the marriage laws by applying for marriage licenses during Valentine's Week, Feb. 9-15.
What if their application for a marriage license is turned down? "We are hope-filled people," said Anderson. "If we are turned down this year, we plan to come back next year and we'll continue calling attention to the discrimination that exists against lesbians and gays. And we'll continue to share our love and commitment without the benefits provided to most citizens."
On Friday, Feb. 13, MCC Detroit and Soulforce Detroit will participate in the Freedom to Marry direct action that calls for same-sex couples to go toÊour County Courthouses and request a marriage license.ÊThisÊyear we will meet at the County CourthouseÊatÊ3:00 p.m. Those couples who cannot come at that time are encouraged to go at any point in the day. Both partners need not be present but valid ID is needed for each party (i.e. a pass port or drivers liscense). The point of contact forÊthe Oakland County action is Jennifer or Erin Adriel atÊ Soulforce Detroit 248-345-7872. The point of contact for the Wayne County action is Bryan Parker at MCC DetroitÊ313-737-8650.