Minute from Pittsburgh's Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

It is fundamental to the faith and practice of the Religious Society of Friends

• that we seek that of God in every person,
• that we affirm the worth of all human beings, and
• that we respect and support each individual's striving for personal integrity.

We believe that it is in the interest of society and its members for all citizens to have full and equal access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage. At present, the State offers legal recognition of opposite-gender marriage and supports such marriages by extending certain rights as well as assigning clear responsibilities to the partners. Thus the State seeks to promote social stability through committed relationships and family structure.

Gay and Lesbian couples have been denied legal access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Whether or not all Friends personally approve of same-gender relationships, the establishment of the same standard for same-gender and for opposite gender committed relationships is consistent with Friend's faith and testimonies.

We believe that the State should recognize same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of civil marriage.

Back to