In a significant shift, The United Methodist Church has overturned a decades-long ban on LGBTQ clergy. The historic decision, enacted during the denomination's General Conference in Charlotte, saw a 692-51 vote that opens the doors for LGBTQ individuals to serve as ministers for the first time since 1984, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The change is part of a sweeping move to dismantle previous anti-LGBTQ regulations within the church, coming alongside another vote of 667-54 that reversed a ban preventing the use of church funds to "promote acceptance of homosexuality" and the removal of mandatory penalties against same-sex marriages, as reported by the Houston Chronicle, another decision ensures that superintendents will now not penalize clergy or churches for deciding to hold or not hold such ceremonies.
Observers of the denomination noted the contrast in atmosphere to previous conferences, with the most recent gathering culminating in a chorus of hymns like "Child of God" and "Draw the Circle Wide," as detailed by UM News. A circle of 200 to 300 joined in celebration, marking a stark departure from the 2019 General Conference in St. Louis, which left many disheartened by tightened restrictions against LGBTQ members.
Marilyn Murphy, an observer from the South Carolina Conference, expressed her relief to UM News, saying "We’ve been going on like this since the ’70s and, finally, in just a brief few minutes with no debate, it was gone, and now we can get on about the business of the church." The new rulings notably do not force individual churches to accept gay pastors or to host same-sex weddings, instead, they explicitly protect clergy and churches' right to make their own decisions regarding these matters.
With these resolutions, The United Methodist Church takes a large step toward inclusivity—a move that has been long sought by many within the church body and reflects the ongoing changes in wider societal attitudes. Virginia Lee, an observer from the Virginia Conference, succinctly captured the moment's sentiment following the vote, "It’s a great day! And that just says it all," she told UM News.
