Reverend Ed Bacon, a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., appeared on a recent webisode of Oprah's Lifeclass show and lifted my spirits by saying that "being gay is a gift from God." Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith, the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center, agreed with Rev. Bacon, saying that gay people are born that way, that we are "gay by divine right" and that we have a purpose on Earth. 

It was inspiring to me not just for my own spiritual journey, but because I know Oprah has millions of followers, many of whom I believe need to open their hearts and their minds to the truth that people who are not exactly like them can still be morally good and deserve the same rights and privileges (such as the right to legally marry and enjoy the 1,338 Federal benefits and responsibilities that federally recognized marriage brings) that they already enjoy just for simply having been born heterosexual.

I'm not trying to write a massively persuasive, ground-shattering essay on the subject in this space. I don't even think religion and government should go together. However, many people in the United States of America vote with their conscience and their religious beliefs. I simply felt moved by this uplifting message and wanted to share it with you.

What are your thoughts? 

Connect with Equally Wed's co-founder and editor in chief Kirsten Palladino here, on Twitter @kirs10palladino or on Facebook: facebook.com/kirsten.palladino.

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