Library of Sermons & Articles

Asian American & Pacific Islander Clergy Support the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

As Asian American & Pacific Islander (API) Christian clergy, we support the decision of the Supreme Court of California to protect the fundamental “right to marry” as equally extended to same-sex couples. We are aware of the anti-gay marriage voices claiming to represent the API communities. However, we know also many API Americans, including clergy and many in our congregations, who are supportive, reconciling and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

As Christian clergy from Asian American and Pacific Islander communities,

• We affirm that all people are created in God’s image and in diversity, and all are worthy of the same dignity, respect, and rights, regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, economic condition, marital status, or family configuration
• We affirm that families in API communities include couples, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, niece, nephews, first cousins, second cousins, church family. The freedom to marry for all will build, support, and strengthen all in the family. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people are not the “other” or foreign, but are part of our extended families and faith communities.
• We affirm the family values that value family, including compassion, thankfulness, peace, love, forgiveness, mutuality, kindness, patience.
• We affirm that love and marriage for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people is a source of joy and celebration. We honor couples’ love, shown as healthy and committed, as a gift from God and is not our right to give or to take away, and
• We support the Constitution and the decision of the Supreme Court of California to guarantee fairness and civil rights to all people, affirming that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual people have the same legal freedom to marry. We deplore the attempt of California Proposition 8 to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

As Christian clergy of Asian American and Pacific Islander churches, we believe that the teaching and example of Jesus is the foundation and guiding principle of our convictions, and that to love our neighbor as ourselves is the greatest commandment. We urge you to stand up for your LGBT neighbors, sisters, brothers, co-workers, and friends.

Asian and Pacific Islander Clergy Caucus,
Network on Religion and Justice for API
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender People
www.NetRJ.org

Rev. Lloyd Wake, United Methodist Church
Rev. Nobuaki Hanaoka, United Methodist Church
Rev. Hidemi Ito, United Methodist Church
Rev. Harry Chuck, Presbyterian Church U.S.A
Kahu Ronald Fujiyoshi, United Church of Christ, Hawaii, HI
Rev. Norma Nomura Desaegher, Pioneer United Church of Christ, Ocean View, CA
Rev. Joan Ishibashi, Western Reserve Association, United Church of Christ, Cleveland, OH
Rev. Cal Chinn, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, United Methodist Church
Rev. John Oda, Pine United Methodist Church, San Francisco, CA
Rev. Michael Yoshii, Buena Vista United Methodist Church, Alameda CA
Rev. Norman Fong, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Rev. Dr. Naomi Southard, United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Deborah Lee, the PANA Institute, Pacific School of Religion
Rev. Rodney Yee, Northern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ
Rev. Israel Alvaran, United Methodist Church
Rev. Elizabeth Leung, PhD, United Church of Christ
Rev. Alice Cabotaje, Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo, Metropolitan Community Church of New York
Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Mission Bay Community Church, San Francisco, CA
Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Fumitaka Matsuoka, Pacific School of Religion
Rev. Dr. Tat-Siong Benny Liew, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. John Song, Calvary United Methodist Church, San Jose, CA
Rev. Jennifer Ryu, Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, Williamsburg, VA
Rev. Noel Bordador, Episcopal Church, Diocese of New York
Rev. Bo Young Belko, Diamond Bar United Church of Christ, Diamond Bar, CA
Rev. Tautua Amosa, Pava'ia'i Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa
Rev. H. Wilson P. de Ocera, United Methodist Church, Daly City, CA
Rev. Dr. Nobuko Miyake-Stoner, United Methodist Church, Honolulu, HI
Rev. Roger Morimoto, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA
Rev. Dr. Russell Moy, American Baptist, El Cerrito, CA
Rev. Jay Sapaen Watan, Episcophal Church, Diocese of California
Rev. Dr. Warren Lee, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA
Rev. Dr. Eleazer S. Fernandez, United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities, MN