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Unitarian Universalists Jon Coffee and Keith Swafford were the first gay couple to be married in Knoxville, Tennessee, when same-sex marriage became legal one year ago. In looking back on the event, they remembered just how unique their wedding experience was. Coffee asked, “How many people can say they gave a press conference following their wedding?” (WBIR.com – 6.26.16)
As they reflected on the one year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the Rev. Gretchen Haley, senior minister of Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, and her wife Carri Ratazzi shared their story of three wedding ceremonies and finding Unitarian Universalism. Haley, who was raised Catholic, recalls seeing her first female minister during the couples' first visit to a Unitarian Universalist church. She told her wife then, “I’m going to do that someday.” (Coloradoan – 6.26.16)
The Rev. Pamela Wat, minister of the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Texas, recalled marrying six same-sex couples in a special event held at the church to celebrate the Supreme Court ruling. “I have also officiated two ceremonies for same-sex couples who have been together longer than I have been alive but could only, in this post-decision time, officially marry,” noted Wat. (Denton Record-Chronicle – 6.25.16)
Al Gore’s daughter joins UUs and interfaith clergy in pipeline protest
Karenna Gore, daughter of former Vice President Al Gore and director of the Center for Earth Ethics at New York's Union Theological Seminary, joined Tim DeChristopher in an interview about their recent arrest protesting the construction of a natural gas pipeline in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. This was the second time DeChristopher has been arrested for environmental activism—he became well-known for his arrest for bidding on oil and gas land leases—and the first time Gore had ever participated in nonviolent civil disobedience. (Democracy NOW! – 6.30.16)
More coverage:
“Tim DeChristopher Arrested Again in the ‘Age of Anticipatory Mass Graves’ for Climate Victims” (Democracy Now! – 6.30.16)
“Tim DeChristopher arrested in Boston protest” (KSL.com – 6.30.16)
There won't be a new Media Roundup post next week as I'm off to celebrate our country's independence and, more importantly, to get some sunshine and fresh air.