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United Methodist Church ends anti-LGBTQ bans

UMC has reversed a series of anti-LGBTQ policies – e.g. delete penalties for conducting same-sex marriages or unions, and remove bans on considering LGBTQ candidates for ministry.

Photo by Jason Betz from Unsplash.com

The United Methodist Church (UMC) has reversed a series of anti-LGBTQ policies via a 667-54 vote during the church’s legislative General Conference.

More specifically, UMC delegates voted to:

  • Delete mandatory penalties — imposed by a 2019 General Conference — for conducting same-sex marriages or unions.
  • Remove the denomination’s bans on considering LGBTQ candidates for ministry. Bishops may now ordain LGBTQ people as clergy or consecrate them as bishops.
  • Remove band on funding for gay-friendly ministries. Now, any UMC entity may use funds “to promote the acceptance of homosexuality”.

The new development may still cause schism in UMC, particularly for those in Africa, where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.

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