Discrimination Grieves the Heart of God

Note: Susan Russell is the National President of Integrity. She is also my friend. I have never been more proud to say that five word sentence.

Susan is, and has been for the past 6 years, one of the more prominent faces of Christians who are Episcopalian and Anglican - nationally and internationally.

She is a refreshing, inspiring antidote to the rabid hatred from the desperate, pathetic, but well-funded radical fringe right which recently mounted a successful effort to inject the virus of discrimination into the constitution of California.

Susan is beautiful, smart, articulate, passionate and compassionate. She is also the unmitigated "Queen of the Soundbite," our intelligent, effective counterpoint to the voices of so-called "orthodox, evangelical Anglicanism" - an oxymoron if there ever was one.

There is no doubt: Susan is a Giant of Justice

I also have no doubt that Proposition 8 will effectively be overturned. It will just take time. And, it will happen, in great part, because of the efforts of Susan Russell.

Even in defeat, she is eloquent. Susan, you make us all proud.

Discrimination Grieves the Heart of God

November 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrity is deeply disappointed that anti-LGBT marriage bans passed in Florida and Arizona, and that in Arkansas voters voted to bar all unmarried people, LGBT or straight, from adopting children or serving as foster parents. And while ballots are still being counted in California and results are not yet clear, what is clear is that we have miles to go in this great country of ours before liberty and justice for all is not just a pledge but a reality.

“We believe discrimination against any member of the human family grieves the heart of God,’ said Integrity President Susan Russell. “And, here in California, we are deeply saddened that the multi-million dollar campaign of fear, disinformation and division waged by Proposition 8 supporters worked to convince so many voters to choose bigotry over equality.”

“While many voters came to believe this discriminatory initiative was about school curriculum and tax exempt status for churches, the reality is that this proposition attempts to totally undo one of the fundamental purposes of our constitution: to protect the rights of minorities from the kind of campaign of lies and distortions we have witnessed here in California.”

Nevertheless, Integrity is committed to continuing to work with our interfaith partners toward the day when “liberty and justice for all” in this nation really means “all.” We are convinced that in the end, the fundamental fairness of the American people will prevail and we will continue to work, strive, pray, preach and advocate for that day when LGBT families will no longer be “strangers at the gate” but full and equal citizens in this great nation of ours.

“At the same time, we will continue our efforts within the Episcopal Church and our witness to the wider Anglican Communion on behalf of the LGBT faithful. Even as we commit ourselves to continue to offer our witness to end discrimination in the civil arena, we are looking ahead to our 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Integrity and will redouble our efforts to work for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments of our church as we pray for God’s strength and guidance in the struggle toward wholeness for the whole human family.”

(The Reverend) Susan Russell, President
president@integrityusa.org
714-356-5718 (mobile)
626-583-2741 (office)
620 Park Avenue #311 Rochester, NY 14607-2943
800-462-9498 info@integrityusa.org