Gay Humanists Welcome Quaker Conversion to Gay Marriage

31st July 2009

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) congratulates the Quakers on their decision to support full gay marriage, a position that GALHA has long campaigned for.

Humanists see marriage, for gay men and lesbians as well as heterosexuals, as a social good as well as a basic human right. GALHA Secretary David Christmas commented:

“We welcome the courage of the Quakers in joining the campaign for gay marriage. While we may profoundly disagree with them about the existence of a God, or the place of religion in our society, they have shown that religious belief is no excuse for continued bigotry.

“You cannot have it both ways. If marriage is a central to our society and the family, it is totally illogical, and counter-productive to exclude those gay couples who wish to take on this commitment.

“Humanists have been carrying out affirmation ceremonies for same sex couples for many years. It is high time that gay people were entitled to a religious or a humanist marriage ceremony if they so wish, especially where as with the Quakers, the religion itself supports it.

“Humanists will continue to campaign for humanist values, but will be happy to cooperate with other groups, including religious ones, where they are pursuing aims which are compatible with humanism."