Project Libertad
“Jinotega Medical Support Project,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
“Tim Takaro,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
Beginning in 1988 and continuing through 1990, The UU Church of Asheville under Rev. Jim Brewer, was involved in Project Libertad, a relief effort in Nicaragua during a time of political turmoil in the country.1 The church’s involvement mainly centered around the financial support of congregation members Tim Takaro and Susan Cookson who traveled to Nicaragua to provide medical aid for the people affected by the violent revolution happening around them. Correspondence between Takaro and Richard S. Scobie, executive director of the UU service committee, proves that the church was instrumental in providing funds for the Libertad project.2 Through Libertad, Takaro and Cookson were able to provide medical assistance to many of the affected people and even help rescue four of eight teens abducted by Contra fighters.3 Though the US government under President Bush supported the Contra fighters, the UU Church worked through funds sent to Libertad and letters written to congressmen, to sway this support due to the various human rights atrocities committed by the Contra forces including the kidnapping and imprisonment of eight teens.4 Though the public opinion was not changed, the work of Takaro and Cookson and the financial aid given by the UU Church helped save many lives.
Amendment One
Amendment One of North Carolina’s Constitution passed in 1978 outlines the guidelines of marriage in the state and outlawed the union of same sex couples leading to anti-LGBTQ sentiments such as the famous quote by James Forrester shown below.
“We need to reach out to them [the LGBTQ Community] and get them to change their lifestyle back to the one we accept”; “[The City of Asheville, North Carolina is] a cesspool of sin.”- State Senator James Forrester5
The UU Church of Asheville along with other religious organizations objected to Amendment One as it was discriminatory to the LGBTQ community. This injustice prompted the UUCA and it’s affiliates to fight to have Amendment One overturned. As outlined in the court files, the UU Church and other plaintiffs objected to the law for the following reasons:
“By purposefully denying civil marriage to gay and lesbian individuals, North Carolina’s ban on same-sex marriage discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian individuals are unable to enter into marriages available through the State to opposite-sex couples solely because of their sexual orientation. Accordingly, these laws violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution by casting gays and lesbians into disfavored legal status and categorizing them as “second-class citizens.””6
Rev. Mark ward of the UUCA along with many other clergy, outraged same-sex couples who wished to have their rights restored, and faith organizations petitioned to overturn Amendment One in 2014 and won granting marriage equality for same sex couples in North Carolina.7
UUCA Involvement
Mark Ward, “Congratulations!” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
The UU Church of Asheville has made an effort to be welcoming and inclusive to the LGBTQ community since 1995, encouraging them to participate in the congregation and be involved in the church.8 Many commitment ceremonies were performed at the UU Church of Asheville before the overturn of Amendment One, and on Monday, October 13, 2014, the first day same sex couples were allowed to marry in the state of North Carolina, the UU Church invited anyone and everyone in the LGBTQ community to get married free of charge in a quick, convenient fashion. Their goal was “to provide welcome and support to couples seeking to be married legally in North Carolina, provide support team and assistance at Register of Deeds, create sacred space for weddings and celebration on UUCA campus.”9
Above is the outline of a commitment ceremony preformed by Rev. Mark Ward in 2008 which was included in his testimony during the suit against Amendment One
Rev. Mark Ward of the UUCA has had a personal interest in marriage equality since he was in seminary. He performed his first commitment ceremony for a same sex couple in 2002 and continued to hold ceremonies until the law was changed so that same sex couples could legally marry.10 In 2005 he began discussions with Rev. Joe Hoffman about the injustice of North Carolina’s marriage laws which lead to his decision in February of 2006 to protest the law by refusing to sign any marriage licenses. He also disclosed to his congregation how he felt about the marriage laws to his congregation in a sermon sharing sentiments like the one below which was a part of his personal testimony in the 2014 suit that overturned Amendment One and granted marriage equality in North Carolina for same sex couples.11
“Marriage is a covenant into which two people enter, promising each other their love and support. That covenant is recognized by a wider community, and ideally we hope that marriages will remain stable for as long as possible. We believe that sex is good and pleasurable and need not be limited to biological reproduction. And we do not think married couples should be restricted to mid-twentieth century gender roles.” – REV. Mark Ward12
1 Richard S. Scobie, “Letter to Tim Takaro,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
2 Tim Takro, “Letter to Richard S. Scobie,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
3 Tim Takaro, “Letter to Richard S. Scobie,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
4 Richard S. Scobie, “Agenda for SAC,” n.d., Box 11, Folder 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
5 Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, ” In the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Charlotte Division,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
6 Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, ” In the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Charlotte Division,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
7 Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, ” In the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Charlotte Division,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
8 Daniel Harper, “Marriage Equality,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
9 Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, “Day One Action Plan,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
10 Mark Ward, “Declaration of Reverend Mark Ward,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
11 Mark Ward, “Declaration of Reverend Mark Ward,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
12 Mark Ward, “Marriage Equality Op-Ed Piece,” n.d., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville, NC 28801.
