Ready for Marriage Equality

If, as expected, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down a ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, MCC Austin will open its sanctuary doors and begin conducting same-sex marriages as soon as licenses are issued and required waiting periods are met (or waived).

MCC Austin will begin conducting same-sex weddings for all couples who present valid marriage licenses immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling is handed down. Both MCC Austin clergy and additional approved officiants will be on hand to ensure that we are able to conduct weddings for all couples presenting valid marriage licenses. Officiants will be available for the first 24 hours after licenses are issued and then for extended daytime and evening hours.
 
Couples wishing to marry right away should call MCC Austin at 512-291-8601 and talk with a church representative or leave a message with their contact information. Couples may also send an email to office@mccaustin.com. Include “weddings” in the subject line. MCC Austin is located at 8601 S 1^st St., Austin, TX 78748.
 
Historically, with legal marriages denied to same-sex couples in Texas, MCC Austin has performed Holy Unions for couples who desired to enter into a covenanted relationship blessed by God and witnessed by friends and family. These unions were conducted after couples counseled with the pastor and with the understanding that, though not legally binding, they were still Christian rites to be entered into with sincerity and love. In a couple of weeks, we will return to a process that includes pastoral counseling of couples desiring to be married. But for the short-term, we will be offering legal same-sex weddings to any who ask and present valid licenses, understanding that this basic human right to marry has been denied to same-sex couples for far too long.

A member congregation of MCC Churches, MCC Austin is a Christian church that has been serving Austin's LGBTQ community for nearly 40 years. Through its founder, The Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Metropolitan Community Churches have been involved in the work for Marriage Equality since the beginning. Rev. Elder Perry conducted what Time magazine called “the first public same-sex wedding ceremony in the United States” in 1968. From that time to the present, MCC has been active in the ongoing battle for equality and justice for LGBTQ people and has offered a safe, progressive, spiritual home for all.

Always in Hope,

Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor