US Supreme Court Rules: Love Wins

This is a momentous win for freedom, for equality, for inclusion and, most of all, for love. It is a day to celebrate with deep joy that our country is one step closer to keeping the promise of the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Today's historic ruling means same sex couples will soon have both the freedom to marry and equal respect for their marriages across the country -- it is a triumph of justice over bigotry.

And even while we stand in this moment of deep joy we recognize that our brothers and sisters in Charleston are in a moment of deep grief. And so we stand in the tension of the joy and the grief of a kingdom not yet come with a renewed commitment to dismantle racism and end the marginalization and victimization of any member of God's human family.

But today we celebrate! And here in Salt Lake City at the General Convention of our Episcopal Church we are considering legislation that would eliminate barriers for same-sex couples seeking the sacrament of marriage in our church. We pray for justice to roll down like waters in Salt Lake City for the Episcopal Church just as justice prevailed today in our Supreme Court. It is time for us as a church to "let our yes be yes." It is time for full inclusion of LGBT people in the work and witness of the Episcopal Church.

- Susan Russell, Integrity