General Conference Votes to Remove Language Prohibiting Ordination of LGBTQ Clergy

Delegates hug after the 2024 United Methodist General Conference voted to remove The United Methodist Church’s prohibtion on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals." Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Adapted from a story by Heather Hahn, UMNews

This morning, via consent calendar, General Conference voted to remove the language from the Book of Discipline that prohibited the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that was added in 1984.

Read a message from Bishop Robin Dease to North Georgia United Methodists.

Also on the consent calendar, delegates voted that superintendents are not to penalize clergy or churches for holding — or refraining from holding — same-sex weddings.

The legislation approved this morning explicitly protects the right of clergy and churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings.

The consent calendar allows delegates to pass multiple petitions in bulk if they have overwhelming support in legislative committee and have no budgetary or constitutional impact. The vote was 692-51, with approval at 93%.

Retired Bishop Hope Morgan Ward offered a prayer after the significant vote.

“I invite you to place your hand on your heart as you remember those in your location of ministry and service as we pray,” she said. “You every day are great God, and every day you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us a desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all creation, and devote this day to your service.”

During a scheduled break, many hugged and more than a few cried, in a mass release of joy for those who had worked for decades to make The United Methodist Church fully inclusive.

—Sybil Davidson