The Star Street Uniting Church celebrated their church’s decision to allow same-gender marriages to be conducted.
On Thursday night the church held a special event to mark the change in policy, inviting the Gay and Lesbian Singers of Western Australia to perform and a series of guests to speak.
The Reverend Ian Tozer, pictured above, spoke about why he as a minister wanted to be allowed to wed same sex couples. While Reuben Edmonds, the Chair of Living Proud who worships at the church, spoke about the negotiations that occurred at the church’s most recent assembly.
The Uniting Church has found a compromise among its members who had a range of views on the introduction of same-gender marriage. While the staff has not withdrawn its previous policy that stated the marriage is between a man and a woman, they have introduced a concurrent policy that embraces gay people getting married. Each minister and church is allowed to decide which policy will be implemented at their church.
Also speaking at the celebrations was Anglican Minister Father Chris Bedding who has been a vocal campaigner for marriage equality. Father Bedding said that for many LGBTI people of faith it was a positive development that there was now a church that they could engage with.
The Gay and Lesbian Choir performed the classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow, before launching into a medley of songs from the musical My Fair Lady leading appropriately to Get Me To The Church On Time. At the conclusion of the celebration the choir performed The Beatles All You Need Is Love.
