Nonbias ordinance gets clergy backing

Source: San Antonio Express-NewsSept.儲存 04--On the same City Hall steps where a gathering of religious leaders last week objected to proposed updates to the city's nondiscrimination ordinance, another clergy group Tuesday voiced support.The group cited Scripture and belief in its call to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.About 50 clergy -- ranging from Jewish to mainline Protestant, nondenominational and Catholic -- also took turns praying for the controversial proposal to pass when the City Council votes on it Thursday.Group members read a petition of support signed by 60-plus local clergy that said the measure goes far in extending equality in housing, jobs, business and city affairs.The ordinance would add "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes in the city's nondiscrimination policies."We are commanded to treat people fairly and with respect," said Darryl Crystal, interim rabbi of Temple Beth-El, the city's largest Jewish congregation. "We believe every soul is precious to God."Last week, Hispanic and black ministers spoke against the proposal, rejecting comparisons between the civil rights movement and the LGBT fight for equality.They said the ordinance would fail to protect religious expression and free speech, especially for those who believe in traditional marriage alone.Many of those on the steps Tuesday denounced such thinking as a smokescreen to continue the status quo. They cited the use of the Bible by religious leaders through history to justify slavery or segregation as mistaken, out-of-context interpretations not tolerated today."As people of faith, we believe protecting people from harassment and discrimination, hatred and economic persecution is found in page after page of our holy texts and our ancient traditions," said the Rev. Kelly Allen, pastor of University Presbyterian Church. "And for me as a Christian, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, who called people out of blindness新蒲崗迷你倉and hypocrisy."The Community Relations Council, made up of all the Jewish agencies and synagogues in San Antonio, unanimously backed a statement of support for the proposal on Tuesday, said Acting Associate Rabbi Elisa Koppel of Temple Beth-El."Just as Jewish people fought for civil rights throughout history, we continue that fight today," she said.Father Robert Woody, rector of the Episcopal Church of Reconciliation, said most of his congregation signed a letter calling for passage of the ordinance but also respect for members of the faith community, to promote an environment of civility.Lauryn Farris, a transgender woman, spoke of how Sister Geraldine Kline, a Dominican nun, helped her return to a life of faith after feeling abandoned by God."She helped me see that God had not forsaken me," Farris said, adding she's been committed to her partner for 31 years and raising two sons. Farris read a statement from Kline, a license professional counselor unable to attend the press conference:"As a woman of faith, I believe each person must stand before God in good conscience. Christians believe that what we do to others, we do to Christ. Who has the right to judge anyone as unworthy of his or her basic human rights?" Kline wrote, stressing her support is personal and not affiliated with her religious order, the Sinsinawa Dominicans, or the Catholic Church.While praising the spirit of the proposal and amicable dialogue with city officials, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said in a recent statement that he still has concerns about its potential to restrict religious speech.Two revisions in the measure produced last week indicates progress but "we believe that further dialogue on this issue would help keep this ordinance from becoming an undue burden on people of faith," he wrote.alevy@express-news.netCopyright: ___ (c)2013 the San Antonio Express-News Visit the San Antonio Express-News at .mysanantonio.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage