Below is an overview of each denomination's stance regarding LGBTQ people, both within the denomination and within secular society. For specific denominational statements, select a denomination from the menu on the left. The statements vary widely based on the culture and tradition of each denomination.
What is the denomination's stand on ordination? | What is the denomination's stand on marriage? | What is the denomination's relationship with its welcoming congregations? | Does the denomination have any statements on secular LGBTQ issues? | Are denominational events open to LGBTQ advocacy groups? | Does the denomination have any statements on transgender issues? | Additional Comments | |
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African Methodist Episcopal Church |
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Alliance of Baptists | The Alliance does not ordain ministers. As in most Baptist traditions, ordination happens at the local level. The Alliance does recognize the ordination of folks who are locally ordained. No statement of faith or practice is required, and LGBTQ ministers are eligible for ordination recognition. |
As in most Baptist traditions, decisions about marriage happen at the local church. The Alliance has passed a statement in support of same-sex marriage at its Annual Convocation, but these statements do not have binding power over local churches. |
Welcoming Congregations are well supported in the Alliance of Baptists. |
The Alliance has several relevant statements, but they are not binding on local congregations. |
Yes |
The Alliance has voiced support for transgender individuals alongside other members of LGBTQ communities. |
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American Baptist Church | Due to our congregational governance, ordination is handled at the local church level and also on the association level if someone desires a nationally recognized ordination. |
Decisions regarding same-gender blessings are handled at the local church level due to our congregational governance. |
All congregations are autonomous. The voluntary Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is not supported by the national denomination although many individual churches are members. Some associations and regions have objected to congregations adopting a welcoming and affirming statement, but the Regional Executive Ministers Council has adopted a position of toleration in keeping with historic Baptist principles supporting the autonomy of the local church. |
Yes. Advocacy spokespeople are often invited to present at American Baptist associational, regional and national gatherings. Denomination leaders advocate for peace, poverty, education issues, among others, on local, state and national levels. Various statements for and against the full inclusion of LGBTQ people have been passed by various national bodies. However, these statements have no authority over the practice of the local church. |
Denominational events are increasingly open to LGBTQ advocacy groups. These groups are often also welcome at regional gatherings. |
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The New Baptist Covenant Celebration, held in January, 2008 and organized by Presidents Carter and Clinton, included groups advocating LGBTQ equality. The report from the event of over 18,000 people from numerous Baptist denominations includes a point on protecting the "civil rights of gays and lesbians" as well as points addressing poverty, peacemaking, interfaith work, environmental issues and other important issues. |
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
In the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) the responsibility for ordination is shared in covenant between the General Church, the Regional Churches, and the congregations. The General Church has no rules preventing the ordination of LGBTQ people. At this point, no regional church has an explicit policy against the ordination of LGBTQ people, however, it is unclear if this is true in practice in all of our regions. Our congregations are autonomous, and many congregations will, and many will not, put forward an LGBTQ person for ordination. The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has consistently called upon our regions and congregation be supportive of LGBT people, ranging from support civil rights for lesbian and gay people in 1977 to calling upon the denomination in all its expressions to become a people of grace and welcome to all. |
The Christian Church has no rules or policies regarding marriage, and clergy are free to act either on their own initiative and/or within the bounds of their contracts with congregations. Congregations vary in their policies as to what they allow their paid clergy to do and what they allow in their buildings. |
The Open & Affirming Ministry Program is a program of the GLAD Alliance. The GLAD Alliance is a legally separate organization composed of members of the Christian Church. The Alliance is recognized by the denomination as an Affiliated Organization. The GLAD Alliance has a good relationship with the General and Regional Churches. There are no rules or policies that treat Open & Affirming congregations differently than any other. |
Yes. We have passed resolutions in General Assembly supporting civil rights and condemning bullying. From time to time our General Minister and President has spoken in support of LGBT people, most recently in regard to religious exemption laws in Indiana, where our general headquarters are located. |
At the General Assembly, yes. Regional policies vary around access to their Regional Assemblies, some only allowing groups affiliated with the Christian Church access to their events. |
Transgender people are explicitly included in the 2013 General Assembly Resolution call for the denomination to become a people of grace and welcome to all. |
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Church of God in Christ |
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Church of the Brethren |
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Community of Christ | Ordination of LGBTQ members is allowed. |
Same-gender marriage is allowed in the United State, Canada, Great Britain, and Norway. It must be adopted by nation or mission center. |
Welcoming and affirming congregations are treated the same as other congregations. |
No |
They are allowed to participate in events such as World Conference, Peace Colloquy, and Congregational Life Workshops. Currently, only exhibit booths from preselected groups were allowed and all workshops and seminars have been through invitation only. |
No |
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The Episcopal Church | Canon law states that "No one shall be denied access to the selection process for ordination in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by these Canons." General Convention 2009 passed a resolution affirming that partnered gay and lesbian people may be called to any ordained ministry. |
General Convention 2009 passed a resolution stating that "bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church." |
Welcoming congregations are treated the same as unwelcoming congregations. |
General Convention has passed resolutions regarding ENDA, DOMA, hate crime prevention, civil marriage equality, and immigration equality. |
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Observance of national policies varies at the diocesan and parochial levels. Discrimination in the ordination process still occurs and some bishops will not allow their clergy to bless same-gender relationships. |
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) | The ELCA commits itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church. – Of course, this is still in implementation. |
The ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. |
LC/NA is a Acknowledged Independent Lutheran Organization. |
The ELCA acknowledges with regret the way in which the misuse of historical teachings concerning sexuality has harmed individuals, deepened suffering, or torn families apart. This includes actions that abandon or shun people for a same-sex orientation. Hate crimes and violence against those who are regarded as sexually different must be denounced. The ELCA works toward greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity. It seeks that which is positive and lifegiving while protecting from all that is harmful and destructive. The ELCA opposes all forms of verbal or physical harassment and assault based on sexual orientation. It supports legislation and policies to protect civil rights and to prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public services. It has called upon congregations and members to welcome, care for, and support same-gender couples and their families and to advocate for their legal protection. |
Yes. |
The ELCA understands that gender means much more than that we are born with male, female, or sometimes with ambiguous genitalia. Our cells carry sex chromosomes and our endocrine systems infuse our bodies with hormones. In ways that are still not fully understood, we develop strong gender identities at a very early age. While there is still much to be learned about the biological complexity of human beings, we have come to understand that this complexity suggests a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities. |
Download a a copy of the ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality. |
Mennonite Church Canada |
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Mennonite Church USA |
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Metropolitan Community Churches |
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National Baptist Convention USA Inc. |
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Presbyterian Church U.S.A. |
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Reformed Church in America |
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Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) |
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Roman Catholic Church | Holy Orders can only be conferred on an unmarried, celibate man; exceptions for widowers and some married ministers who convert to Catholicism. |
Holy Matrimony can only be participated in by a man and a woman. There is no exception or recognition of other forms of relationships; no recognition of transgender identity. |
Relationships vary depending on the attitudes of the local bishops. But there are congregations in all dioceses offering a welcoming place for LGBTQ persons as a matter of justice and Christian love. These congregations risk ecclesiastical sanctions. |
Most statements on LGBTQ issues from the Vatican or from the U.S. Conference of Bishops are extremely opposed to LGBTQ issues, secular or religious.* * However, the Vatican recently (12/2009) delivered a statement in the United Nations General Assembly saying "The Holy See continues to oppose all grave violations of human rights against homosexual persons, such as the use of the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment |
No. In spite of such exclusion, LGBTQ equality groups exist within the Catholic Church. As with welcoming congregations, these groups have no official status and often face ecclesiastical sanctions. |
In 2000 the Vatican sent a document to papal representatives stating that a transsexual surgical operation is superficial and external and does not change the personality. If the person was male, he remains mail; if female she remains female. |
In October 2009 The Vatican announced a process that will enable groups of Anglicans, disillusioned by their denominations acceptance of LGBTQ clergy, to become Catholic. Such parishes would be led by former Anglican clergy -- including those who are married -- who would be ordained as Catholic priests. |
Seventh-day Adventist Church |
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Southern Baptist Convention |
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Unitarian Universalist Association | Denomination ordains openly LGBTQ persons and assists in the settlement of such persons. Denomination has been ordaining people regardless of sexual orientation since 1970s, and first openly transgender person was ordained in the 1980s. UUA expects all ministers to show ministerial competency in the area of human sexuality before being approved for ordination. LGBTQ clergy (who are permitted to partner or marry) participate fully in faith community. |
Denomination is proud to perform commitment ceremonies and marriages for same-gender couples; UUA provides supporting materials. A resolution in support passed at 1984 General Assembly; earliest records show such ceremonies date back to late 1950s. A resolution passed at 1996 General Assembly supporting full marriage equality; UUA actively encourages congregations to work for marriage equality in their communities; leaders continuously advocate for marriage equality on a national level. |
UUA offers a curriculum to help congregations become more welcoming; welcoming congregations are celebrated publicly by the UUA on website and as outlined by a resolution at 1989 General Assembly. More than half of all congregations are officially recognized as welcoming. |
Tons. Resolutions have been passed at General Assembly starting in 1970 regarding discrimination, AIDS, the military, sex ed in public schools, marriage equality, ENDA, and more. Denomination has a public advocacy campaign called Standing on the Side of Love that works secularly for LGBTQ rights, immigration reform, and interfaith justice. |
Yes, since the early 1970s. |
Yes. Two resolutions passed at 2007 General Assembly in support of transgender people. Transgender people have been officially supported by the UUA since 1996 when “transgender” was added to the name of the Office of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Concerns and the office incorporated transgender issues into its work. |
UUA has had sexuality education that has been inclusive on issues of sexual orientation since 1971 and adult curriculum on LGBTQ issues since 1972. You can visit www.uua.org for more info and materials. |
United Church of Canada | We ordain and commission LGBTQ folks and are working on transgender. |
National policy supports marriages but individual congregations make the decision to offer them. |
A loose connection, but shares resources and supports the program. |
Yes, against hate crimes, support of human rights, support of marriages, etc. |
Yes, but not always as a speaker. |
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United Church of Christ | Denomination permits ordination of openly LGBTQ persons. Fitness is determined by local Association, and local congregation are free to call ministers at their own discretion. |
Denomination blesses marriages for all, subject to the discretion of pastors or congregations. |
All congregations are autonomous. Voluntary LGBTQ ministry is supported by the Open and Affirming Coalition and the church's national and regional offices. |
General Synod is on record with resolutions on marriage equality, civil rights, discrimination, hate crimes, LGBTQ refugees, education on LGBTQ topics, and LGBTQ inclusion. |
Yes. LGBTQ advocates often invited to present keynotes or preach at regional and national UCC events. |
Yes. “Affirming the Participation and Ministry of Transgender People Within The United Church of Christ and Supporting Their Civil and Human Rights,” Adopted by the Twenty-fourth General Synod on July 15, 2003. |
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United Methodist | Explicitly against “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” as clergy. |
Explicitly against “ceremonies that celebrate homosexuality.” |
Congregations are prohibited from calling themselves “Reconciling.” Those who do are committing ecclesial disobedience. |
Positive statement on equal rights regardless of sexual orientation; also Church and Society endorsed the passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act. |
Yes |
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Membership is under attack; recent court case (1032) upheld the barring of a gay person from membership in a UM church in Virginia. |