Renewed Commitment to LGBTQ+ Equality
Resolution text
RESOLVED, that the Executive Council, meeting virtually on April 16, 2021, acknowledges that over the course of more than 40 years, the Episcopal Church has prayed, studied, and declared the blessing that LGBTQ people are and always have been in the Church (1976-A071), adding language to our canons and our liturgical texts to uphold the dignity of their humanity, presence and leadership, and be it further
RESOLVED that Executive Council grieves and confesses the Church’s continued heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and the ongoing harmful impact of anti-LGBTQ Christian proclamation, preaching, pastoral care, and theology upon those of us within and those beyond our ecclesial borders, in present as well as the past. We acknowledge that those who have been harmed must be the authorities on whether and how pain has been inflicted, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Executive Council is committed to ensuring that the Episcopal Church truly and authentically reflect the “full and equal claim” that LGBTQ people have upon the “love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church,” (1976-A069) by focusing on, honoring, and recognizing LGBTQ voices, experiences and leadership, proclaiming that we support LGBTQ equality not in spite of our faith, but because of it.