Approved February 6, 2005

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

The Discipline of Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative, of which we are members, includes the following Queries and Advices:

“How do we center our lives in the awareness of God the Spirit, so that all things may take their rightful places?”

“How can we bring more equality into our relationships?”

“What conflicts do we perceive between the laws of the State and our religious convictions? How do we resolve those conflicts in our lives? In what ways do we assume responsibility for the government of our community, state, nation and world?”

“Friends’ belief in the Divine within everyone leads us to support institutions which meet human needs and to seek to change institutions which fail to meet human needs. We strengthen community when we work with others to help promote justice for all.”

“How are we beneficiaries of inequality and exploitation? How are we victims of inequality and exploitation? In what ways can we address these problems?…..In what ways do we oppose prejudice and injustice based on gender, sexual orientation, class, race, age, and physical, mental and emotional conditions? How would individuals benefit from a society that values everyone? How would society benefit?”

Based on these expressions of our faith and our own experience of the Divine, Friends of the Yahara Preparative Meeting are clear that the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to prohibit both civil unions and marriage between people of the same gender is unjust and harmful. This amendment would make inequality a part of the state’s constitution, a document that should protect the rights of all its citizens. It is clear from the experience of other states that have adopted similar amendments that serious harm can come to families who are denied equal rights and protections of the law. We unite in our commitment of opposition to this amendment.

Yahara Friends Meeting serves the Madison, Wisconsin area from the site of Eagle School, 5454 Gunflint Trail, Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Updated March 7, 2005