February 11, 2007
WJZ-TV

Baltimore church shows support for gay marriage

by Jessica Kartalija

A Baltimore City church shows its support for same sex marriage on the eve of a big day for Maryland gay rights activists.

The doors at First Unitarian Church in Baltimore are open to everyone.

"You are welcome in our church; you are welcome to our banner dedication," said Co-Minister Phyllis Hubbell. "Men, women, gay, lesbian, transgender, kids, parents, everyone. People of almost every belief come together and struggle together."

In an effort to show their support for equal rights, the congregation and ministers unveiled a banner saying they support civil unions.

"The message that we are sending today is that we stand on the side of love. Love for anyone, love for one another." Hubbell said.

"We support them, some of us are them and we support them as human beings, because all of us have inherent worth and dignity," said Allison Farnam.

The unveiling of the banner comes just one day before Equality Maryland's Lobby Day. Members of the church will be in Annapolis pushing for a bill supporting equal rights for everyone.

"The lobby day is for a lot of people taking a stand against anyone wanting to introduce a bill that would ban same sex marriage," Farnam said.

First Unitarian Church of Baltimore says that banner will remain hanging until people get their message that civil marriage is a civil right.

A member of the church is one of nine same sex couples who has filed a lawsuit here in Maryland claiming that denying their right to marry is unconstitutional.