New Ceremonies for Gay Unions

If you and your partner are planning a same-sex wedding or commitment service-or if you're asked to officiate at one-you may be hard-pressed to find an appropriate religious ceremony. Below, we've collected ceremonies, some officially sanctioned, some written by the couple, that have been used to bless gay unions in different faiths.

A

created for two women by veteran pastor Howard Bess, recognizing "the rightness and holiness of their relationship."

A complete

, by the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, Canada, including solemn promises of life-long love and fidelity from the couple and support from the community. Includes prayers, readings, and Holy Communion service.

The

features the Metta Sutra and the Buddhist song "Free and Easy," which says, "Don't go into the tangled jungle looking for the great awakened elephant, who is already resting quietly at home in front of your own hearth."

, the largest national lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Catholics, provides information on

for same-sex Catholic couples and blesses unions through local chapters.

includes a ring ceremony and songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

This liturgy incorporates Jewish themes and ritual, which honors the heritage of one of the participants. Includes the song "It's not easy being green."

For more on Episcopalian gay outreach, visit

; or

, California Diocese's ministry to gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered people.

Rabbi Miriam Jerris, who practices Secular Humanist Judaism, describes a ceremony she performed for

.

ritually affirming and giving the blessing of Judaism, of family and community, to Kathy and Joyce.

From ritualwell.org,

, with prayers and poetry.

, a well-known gay megachurch in Dallas, offers

: one with creative touches (including the Apache blessing and a Unity candle); the second more traditional.

In 1984, the Unitarians became the first denomination to affirm gay and lesbian unions, and to create religious services blessing them.

is one of nine sample services available from the Unitarian Universalist Association

.

invokes the God and Goddess and uses the colors of the chakras to bless the couple.

exchange self-written vows "in the name of the Light that resides in us all."