The Douglass Boulevard Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday, unanimously voted to stop signing marriage licenses because they are only legally permitted to do so for heterosexual couples.
The church said it plans to continue offering religious marriage ceremonies for both gay and straight couples, but the latter will need to get a separate ceremony through a justice of the peace in order to get legal recognition.
“As an Open and Affirming Community of Faith (a designation signifying DBCC’s commitment to full acceptance of all people, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation), our membership is committed to treating homosexuals and heterosexuals equally.
“Our congregation believes it is unfair to provide different services and benefits to heterosexual couples than we can provide to gay and lesbian couples,” said associate minister Rev. Ryan Kemp-Pappan.
In 2004, Kentucky voters passed an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage.
