The United Methodist Church has been on a long and sometimes difficult journey when it comes to understanding and welcoming our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. For many years, the official stance of the church was one of restriction, drawing lines around who could be ordained, and which marriages could be blessed. At the same time, faithful people within the church kept lifting up a different message: that every person is of sacred worth and that God’s love knows no boundaries. Over time, these voices, prayers, and acts of courage led to historic changes. In 2024, the UMC took a major step forward by removing harmful language, affirming the gifts of LGBTQ+ clergy, and giving space for churches and regions to live into God’s call in ways that fit their context. This story is one of struggle, hope, and the Spirit’s ongoing work to make the church more fully reflect Christ’s wide embrace.

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Historical Context: Decades of Restriction (1972–2019):

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• 1972: The UMC formally inserted into its Social Principles the declaration that “the practice of homosexuality … is incompatible with Christian teaching.” This marked the beginning of decades-long internal conflict and set the tone for restrictive policies toward LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Book of Discipline: For years, its rules prohibited:

  • Ordination of “self‑avowed, practicing homosexuals”

  • Blessing or presiding over same‑sex unions by clergy

  • Use of UMC facilities or funds for groups promoting acceptance of homosexuality

 

Internal Resistance & Inclusive Voices:

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• Inclusivity Clause: Despite restrictive language, the UMC's foundational documents also recognized that “all persons are of sacred worth”—a point cited by advocates for inclusion.

• Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN): Founded in 1984, RMN worked actively for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the UMC, helping numerous congregations become "Reconciling Congregations" supportive of full participation of LGBTQ+ members.

• Trailblazing Leaders:

  • Karen Oliveto, elected in 2016, became the first openly lesbian bishop. Despite policies against openly gay clergy, she remained in office after the UMC’s Judicial Council ruled she could continue to serve.

  • Cedrick Bridgeforth, elected in November 2022, became the first openly gay African American man to be elected bishop, demonstrating further internal change within the denomination.

 

2019: A Temporary Consolidation of Restriction

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At a special General Conference in February 2019, the UMC adopted the Traditional Plan, reaffirming its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy, thus tightening restrictions. This decision intensified internal tensions and led many progressive congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC, contributing to a significant schism within the denomination.

 

2024: Toward Inclusion — A Landmark Reversal: During the 2024 General Conference (held April–May in Charlotte, North Carolina), the UMC enacted sweeping changes:

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• Regionalization Introduced: The UMC adopted a structural change allowing different global regions autonomy to determine their own policies on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

• May 1, 2024: The church lifted its decades‑old ban on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriages.

• May 2, 2024: The global delegates removed the clause that had labeled homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching,” redefined marriage to include "two adult persons of consenting age," and affirmed sexual consent and opposition to child marriage and polygamy.

• May 3, 2024: Further changes eliminated penalties for:

  • Officiating same-sex weddings

  • Being in a same-sex relationship

  • Using church facilities for such ceremonies

  Clergy were also granted the freedom to decline officiating weddings based on conscience.

 

Consequences & Continuing Challenges:

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• Schism and Disaffiliation: These historic shifts led to a significant exodus. Over 7,000 churches (roughly 25% of U.S. congregations) left to join more conservative bodies like the Global Methodist Church.

• Global Divisions: Tensions remain strong within the global UMC, especially in regions like Africa and parts of Asia, where opposition to LGBTQ inclusion is still prevalent.

• Declining Membership and Finances: The denomination continues to face challenges such as shrinking membership and reduced budgets—trends that accelerated as the church navigated its ideological transformation.