The Rev. Robert Hardies, senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Church, worked alongside the Revs. Dennis and Christine Wiley, married co-pastors of Covenant Baptist Church, to organize a multiracial and multi-denominational coalition of faith in support of marriage for same-sex couples. With more than 200 clergy members, the alliance held press conferences and religious services in support of nuptials for gays and lesbians. Members also turned out en masse to testify for the bill. Hardies told EDGE he decided to form the coalition after California voters overturned Proposition 8.

"Prop 8 told us two things: One that we hadn't done a good job organizing in religious communities-and two that there was a real divide between people of color and white folks," he said. "As a minister who pastors a multiracial congregation, both of those things broke my heart. I said to myself that night when this movement comes to D.C. we can't have it turn out the same way."

In light of Prop 8, Hardies organized outreach efforts to the African Americans in the District. He said their support was critical in the passage of the marriage bill, and he hopes surrounding states will follow the coalition's example.