Unitarian Universalist ministers have been uniting all loving couples for more than 40 years. Since the early 1960s our clergy and members have consistently welcomed same-sex partners into our liberal religious community.

We continue to celebrate this tradition.

• The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has long been a strong voice for marriage equality.  The Rev. William Sinkford, UUA  President, has spoken in pulpits and legislative gatherings throughout the U.S., leading the call for "civil marriage as a civil right."
• California Unitarian Universalist congregations have repeatedly taken moral stands for marriage equality.  Since 2004 marriage equality has been a social justice priority for Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California and local congregations.
• Bay Area Unitarian Universalist congregations actively support legal marriage equality. We have mobilized to support and advocate for the right of all couples, same-sex and different sex, to be treated equally under the law.

Now, in addition to offering spiritual blessings of union in front of friends and family, we are able to say that for all loving couples our ceremonies will be legal weddings. We are delighted to add this statement to our spiritual blessings.

Church Weddings for Gays and Lesbians

We believe in committed love. Our church sanctuaries, ministers, and reception halls are available for weddings for all couples.

If you are considering marriage, we invite you to contact a Unitarian Universalist church near you (see map). Many have traditional sanctuaries and celebration space. All of them have clergy and a community who are ready to help you with your wedding.

Special Events Starting June 17, 2008

Members and clergy of Bay Area Unitarian Universalist congregations are planning special ceremonies to help gay and lesbian couples exercise their newly acknowledged right to marry. Information on those actions celebrations will be posted here throughout the summer. Please check back for additional information, or call your local Unitarian Universalist congregation and help us all celebrate this civil rights victory.

Tuesday, June 17, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Wedding Gifts As Couples Wait at SF City Hall

Clergy and lay members of the 158-year-old First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco will gather starting at 8:00 a.m. to deliver wedding gifts to those waiting in line at City Hall on this historic day. In clerical robes and in street clothes they will give witness to the religious imperative to celebrate love without judgment and faith without limits.

Tuesday, June 17, 1:00 p.m.

UU Minister To Wed Couple Outside SF City Hall

Don Williams and David Jones met in 1978. This photo shows them that year in San Francisco. On June 17, 2008 ­– 30 years later – they will legally marry.

Don and David have a 1:00 p.m. appointment to get their marriage license on Tuesday. When they come out of the clerk's office, Rev. Gregory Stewart, First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, will marry them at City Hall in a public ceremony with members of the Congregation in attendance.

Tuesday, June 17, beginning at 5:00 p.m. (by appointment)

Free Same-Sex Weddings

For those gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry on the first possible day, the First Unitarian Church of San Jose invites you to join with us on Tuesday evening, June 17th. We are offering same-sex couples the opportunity to marry in a sacred place - a beautifully renovated 1891 building - that welcomes and honors the love of all couples. This is at no cost to the happy couples. Read more here. For your convenience, ceremonies are by appointment, with the first at 5:00 PM.  Please call Bev Clifford at 408-223-6444 to reserve your spot. A marriage license is required.