[ASAP] Same sex marriage in TN

[Joan Green]

I am appalled that our Bishop has decided not follow the guidelines of the national Episcopal  church. I did not realize that a regional bishop had the authority to override what was decided at the national level and I thought that this issue had been resolved when the Episcopal church went through this issue on a national level. Isn't this why so many Episcopalians left our faith to affiliate with the Anglican Church a few years ago? 
Is there an organized petition to be signed by  those of us who disagree with Bishop Bauersmith? 
This seems to contradict our acceptance of each other as the individuals that God created us to be. Until reading this , I have been very proud to be an Episcopalian. That I belonged to a faith that was open minded and accepting of others even when I did not share their lifestyle was part of my pride. Perhaps I have misunderstood but I thought that in the Episcopal faith things were decided by vote and not by a single person. 
 I do not believe that ones sexuality is a choice. I do not begin to understand the complexity of genetics yet I know that for most people homosexuality is not a choice but the way they are wired. Now I am embarrassed that our Bishop has made this decision in the light of all that we know today and in the light of what we may not know yet. Who are we to judge others? Aren't we taught that we are all created in a Gods image and should be accepting of each other ? Isn't this a part of why I chose not to leave the Episcopal church and become and Anglican? To say I am disappointed is an understatement. No, I am appalled. 
Joan Green