Minister takes stand on same-sex marriages

"Not allowing all people access to the legal rights of marriage essentially denies some people's relationships. All love is of equal value. Stepping back from signing paperwork is my creative response to systemic discrimination."

It's rare to see ministers and pastors stand up for what they believe in. Most of them are "in the closet" when it comes to standing by what they believe in. I know. The last church I was going to was "open and affirming". Well, as long as the "ceremony" blessing the relationship wasn't too public. They really didn't want to be too public about doing it and would never call it a wedding. To me, there is nothing open or affirming about that.

If you are "open", it's called a "gay wedding" or, a "wedding" of people of the same sex. If you are "affirming", you welcome the couple into your congregation as a couple, not individuals.

At my church, I saw several same-sex couples eventually leave the church out of disappointment and frustration. I decided not to pursue the issue for myself. My relationship is frankly worth more than that.

The minister in this story is putting action behind her words. She made a decision that she will not perform heterosexual weddings until weddings of homosexual couples are recognized.

EXETER - minister of the First Unitarian Society of Exeter is taking her own stand on same-sex marriages.

Kendra Ford says in keeping with the true spirit of her faith, she will continue to perform wedding ceremonies, but no longer will sign marriage licenses for any couples until she can sign them for all couples - heterosexual and homosexual.

Heterosexual couples will have to spend a few extra dollars to have their marriage license signed by a justice of the peace or other public official. The signing is not available to same-sex couples because New Hampshire does not legally recognize such marriages.

"I don't mean to prevent anyone from getting legal recognition. I simply want to act in accordance with my belief," said Ford, who said she is not gay.