House of Deputies debate opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act

The debate is underway to authorize The Episcopal Church's official opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act of the United States.

Wiki reports that:

Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419. Its provisions are codified at 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C. The law has two effects:

1. No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
2. The federal government defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman.

C023 reads:

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That this 76th General Convention reject the belief that the existence of marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership between same-sex individuals has a detrimental effect on opposite-sex marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention call on Congress to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage" statute passed on September 21, 1996 [Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419, codified at 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C]; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention call on all Episcopalians to work against the passage of so-called "Defense of Marriage" state statutes and state constitutional amendments, and, in states where such statutes or constitutional amendments already exist, to work for their repeal.

One deputy just said the church should promote freedom of conscience and not tell all Episcopalians to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act. Those who are in favor of this resolution are continuing to say this is an issue of civil rights. Rowan Williams last summer said that this issue is not about civil rights.

Another deputy reminded the House that in the Righter Trial sexuality was doctrinal but not a matter of doctrine.

The previous question has been called.

Debate is terminated. C023 Vote by Orders.

They are now voting - first all the laity and then all the clergy.

The are now reading the results.
109 votes
109 votes

55 majority lay order
56 majority in clerical order

Lay Order: 70 yes, 29 no votes, 10 divided (counted as no)
carries by 69%
Clerical Order: 59 yes, 35 no, 15 divided (counted as no)
carries by 54%

There has been a request to reconsider

All Episcopalians are now called to speak out against the Defense of Marriage, which has the Episciopal Church official telling those who are politically or socially conservative or even Republican Episcopalians to act against the conscience.

The call to reconsider is on hold until the vote is confirmed.

Update on votes:

109 lay
109 clerical

55 needed majority in lay
55 needed majority in clerical

Lay 70 yes, 28 no, 11 divided (no)
54% passes
Clerical 60 yes, 35 no, 14 divided (no)
55% passes

Carries - will reconsider tomorrow.

The reconsider motion has now been withdrawn.

Southwest Florida was incorrectly stated second time, correct the first time.

So that's it.