FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2022
CONTACT
Jonny Levenfeld, West End Strategy Team
jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com; 202-704-4535
Interfaith Alliance Hails Passage of Respect for Marriage Act in the House
WASHINGTON—After the House voted today to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, interfaith advocates are celebrating a historic victory for LGBTQ+ equality and religious freedom. The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“This is a hard-earned win for millions of LGBTQ+ and interracial families who deserve equal protection under the law and peace of mind. Religious Americans overwhelmingly believe that the freedom to marry who one loves is a matter of human dignity.
“The extraordinary, broad-based support for this bill only reaffirms that religious freedom and equality are not in conflict. To the contrary, the multifaith mobilization to pass this bill is a testament to our shared belief across religious traditions that every person deserves to lead a life of dignity and respect.
“We look forward to celebrating with our allies across the country when President Biden signs this historic legislation into law.”
The wide consensus among diverse faith traditions in support of the Respect for Marriage Act has been unprecedented. Interfaith Alliance led 45 denominations and faith-based organizations, representing millions of Americans, in a joint statement affirming their support for the bill. In addition, Interfaith Alliance spearheaded a letter to Senate leaders alongside four major Christian denominations and a broad group of multifaith partners applauding the robust religious freedom protections added by the Senate.
Interfaith Alliance champions an inclusive vision of religious freedom and has long promoted the principle that LGBTQ+ equality and religious freedom are complementary – not contradictory – values. If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance, please contact Jonny Levenfeld at 202-704-4535 or jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com.
Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.