Spring 2008 Newsletter

St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery "UnWedding"

A Gay Pride Day event at historic St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery in New York's East Village honored the Episcopal congregation's tradition of civic outreach and openness by combining social activism, the arts, and spirituality. The "UnWedding" ceremony took place on June 24, 2007 at 11:00am, and incorporated the language of marriage in an act of affirmation and blessing for same-sex couples. Part protest and part political theater, the sacred occasion was an outlet for those whose committed relationships are offered no official sanction by the church or the state. Couples in drag, musical riffs on traditional wedding tunes, and a celebratory closing toast made for an event that was anything but somber.

St. Mark's openly gay pastor and Williams alum, the Rev. John Denaro '85, officiated at the brief service timed to precede the Gay Pride Day parade. Lisa Kron, member of The Five Lesbian Brothers theater ensemble and award-winning New York actor, and writer/performer Annie Lanzillotto, participated in the proceedings as special UnWedding guests.

The choice to host the "UnWedding" was made by St. Mark's as a timely response to then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's proposed gay marriage legislation, which was widely expected to be rejected by the state assembly, and as the Episcopal Church engaged in a high-profile debate over gay bishops and same-sex blessings that is threatening its relationships with other provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

All couples were welcome and encouraged to participate in St. Mark's UnWedding.

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