RFM Minute Prepared for Baltimore Yearly Meeting -- Sixth Month 2004

We of Richmond Friends Meeting (RFM) are distressed by the policy of Friends United Meeting (FUM), which states that marriage is possible only between a man and a woman. We believe this policy states that homosexuals and heterosexuals are not equal before God. We believe that this policy violates the Quaker Testimony of Equality and violates Christ’s commandment: “in everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NRSV).

We at RFM know the value of gay and lesbian marriage. Our community is blessed by the spirit-led gay and lesbian marriages that have occurred under the care of our meeting since the early 1990s.

In April 2004, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Marriage Affirmation Act which prohibits members of the same sex from entering into any “arrangement that purport(s) to bestow the privilege or obligations of marriage.” Virginia’s Marriage Affirmation Act is currently the most restrictive law of its kind in the nation. This secular condemnation by the state and the religious prohibition by FUM are causing great pain and suffering to our members and attenders.

It is our hope that the peaceful thoughts, reflections, and prayers of all Friends will lead in time to a greater understanding and acceptance that in God’s house there are many mansions and in God’s love there is room for all.

With that hope, we have prepared the following minute:

Richmond Friends Meeting is in unity in protesting the FUM policy restricting marriage to heterosexuals. We are deeply concerned that FUM policy and practices reinforce long-term underlying discrimination against gays and lesbians.

We recognize the importance of keeping the dialogue open between FUM and BYM. We call upon the wisdom of all the Meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting to seek right action on this matter.