Resolution Number: 2012-D018
Title: Urge Repeal of Federal Laws Discriminating Against Same-Sex Marriage
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That we understand The Episcopal Church to be in a period of discernment about the meaning of Christian marriage, with faithful people holding divergent views; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention urge members of the U.S. Congress to repeal federal laws that have a discriminatory effect on same-gender civilly married couples, and to pass legislation to allow the U.S. federal government to provide benefits to those couples.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), p. 321.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Cn. Susan Russell
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #35 on Resolution D018 (End Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriages) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution

(D018)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention urge members of the United States Congress to pass legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and allow the U.S. federal government to provide benefits to couples in a same-sex marriage.

Committee Substitute

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That we understand the Episcopal Church to be in a period of discernment about the meaning of Christian marriage, with faithful people holding divergent views; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention urge members of the U.S. Congress to repeal federal laws that have a discriminatory effect on same-gender civilly married couples, and to pass legislation to allow the U.S. federal government to provide benefits to those couples.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #245)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #34 on HB Message #245 on Resolution D018 (End Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriages) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 279)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.

Abstract:   The 77th General Convention urges the U.S. Congress to repeal federal laws that discriminate against same-sex, civilly married couples; and to pass legislation providing benefits to those couples.