  “How could I not?” reflected Bishop Jon Bruno of the Diocese of Los Angeles, as he prepared to bless the union of The Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd and writer Mark Thompson on the twentieth anniversary of their life partnership. And so he did, making history as he gave thanks for the surprises of human love. This was the first blessing performed by Bruno as the Bishop of Los Angeles and since the “local option” blessing resolution passed at General Convention last August. In the past, the bishop blessed unions as a parish priest and has always supported the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church. Bruno also expressed personal reasons for blessing this couple. He and Boyd are old friends who protested for civil rights together in the south. Bruno added that there was just no way he could refuse a friend and colleague like Boyd, who has been a champion of human rights for most of his 80 years.
The service, based on the New Westminister rite, allowed for Malcolm and Mark to reflect on the occasion. Mark, admittedly nervous, expressed his happiness with his life with Malcolm and his knowledge that they stood up for many gays and lesbians in the church. Malcolm mused that for most of his 80 years, this blessing would never have been imagined, let alone possible. But, he confessed, convention has never colored their relationship. On his first date with Mark, twenty years ago, they danced together at in a fancy, upscale restaurant that didn’t even have a dance floor.
Bishop Bruno invited Malcolm and Mark to stand in full view of family and friends to declare their covenant to one another : promises to live together in love, to be faithful to one another, to support one another so that they might grow into maturity of faith in Jesus Christ and to do all in their power to make their life together a witness to the love of God in the world. The bishop then instructed the couple to clasp each other’s hand so that he could wrap them with a beige silk scarf presented by Mark’s brother, John, and painted by Malcolm’s mother, Beatrice, half a century ago. The bishop pointed out the painted image on the scarf – a flock of cranes – and noted it symbolized good health, prosperity and the uniting of two families. After tying the scarf in a knot around their hands, Malcolm and Mark took turns pledging their love for one another.
The invited guests prayed for the couple and gave their promises to celebrate with them and stand by them in times of trouble and distress. Then, all, many with tears of joy in their eyes, raised their hands and joined the bishop in the blessing the union of these two loving and gracious men. How could they not? ================================================= Written by Louise Brooks: All Saints Church, Pasadena CA 
