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.

Signed,

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. 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. Eleazar S. Fernandez, United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities, MN

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.

Signed,

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

October 11, 2008