United Methodists lift longstanding prohibition on LGBTQ clergy

United Methodist delegates repealed the church’s long-standing ban on LGBTQ clergy by a vote of 692-51 at their General Conference without debate. The change does not require LGBTQ clergy but removes the prohibition against them. The measure also prevents penalizing clergy for performing same-sex weddings. Delegates are expected to replace the existing Social Principles with a new document that supports LGBTQ inclusion. The vote comes after many conservatives left the denomination in recent years. The change could lead to more conservative churches, especially in Africa, leaving the UMC. The denomination’s U.S. membership is expected to decrease due to departures.

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