Source: Oasis press release
SAN FRANCISCO -- Elected representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of California on Saturday approved use of rites for the blessing of same gender couples by an overwhelming margin.

The action opens the way for Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus to allow these services to be used on a trial basis by Episcopal churches across the Bay Area. Clergy and lay delegates also approved by a broad majority a resolution countering recent opinions voiced by the Episcopal House of Bishops in New Orleans.

The resolution both affirmed "the unanimous decision of the (Diocesan) Standing Committee to refuse to discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect" and deplored "the lack of access to adequate pastoral and ritual care for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in large parts of the Episcopal Church and the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it.

Approved by a lopsided voice vote in the Diocesans annual convention at Grace Cathedral, the action asks Bishop Andrus to approve rites for blessing same gender couples on a trial basis.

"Trial use of a new liturgy is a standard step in development of new liturgical rites by the Episcopal Church," said Oasis California President Thomas C. Jackson. "This is another step toward LGBT equality on the road to the church's national 2009 General Convention in Anaheim, CA."

Developed by the Diocesan Commission on Marriage & Blessing, the convention endorsed three alternative rites for blessing same gender couples, along with Biblical texts for use with these rites.

The San Francisco vote marks the third time in recent weeks an Anglican diocese has moved to establish rites for blessing same gender couples. Earlier this fall, synods of the Anglican Church serving Ottawa and Montreal in Canada also called on their bishops to approved rites for blessing same gender couples.