Delegates make no changes to church’s civil rights stance May 4, 2004 By Linda Bloom* PITTSBURGH
(UMNS) — Attempts to expand language related to the civil rights of
gays and lesbians were defeated May 4 by delegates of the United
Methodist General Conference. Both
pieces of legislation suggested new language for Paragraph 162H, “Equal
Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation,” in the denomination’s Social
Principles, part of The Book of Discipline. The
current language in the paragraph supports “certain basic human rights
and civil liberties” for homosexuals and supports efforts to stop
violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. One
petition, “Affirming Civil Liberties for All Persons,” would have added
a new sentence to the paragraph that read: “We support the right of
same-gender couples to receive the same protections and benefits
provided by state and national governments that come through civil
marriages between men and women.” Tom
Junk, a lay delegate from Oklahoma, told delegates that the Church and
Society Committee was recommending the addition of the sentence not be
approved because the denomination does not support same-sex marriages or
civil unions. Vicki
Woods, a clergy delegate from New England, argued that the new language
was appropriate because the Social Principles supports civil rights for
all persons. However, delegates voted to support the committee’s recommendation not to add the sentence by about a 2-1 margin. Another
petition, “Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation,” changed the
words “homosexual” and “gays and lesbians” to “all persons whatever
their sexual orientation or gender identity.” It also added the
sentence, “In addition, we oppose heterosexism in all its forms” to
Paragraph 162H. The
committee opposed the legislation. “Our Discipline currently confirms
our church’s position, which is equal rights for all persons,” Junk
said. Tom
Wilson, a first-time lay delegate from the Pacific Northwest, called
for the new language to be accepted and voiced his concern about the
treatment of gays and lesbians by the denomination. “How
much longer are we going to slam our church doors on them because of
who they love?” asked the married father of three. “We need these people
to share their stories in our homes, our churches and, yes, our
pulpits.” A
suggested amendment from the floor to remove the sentence about
heterosexism failed. The committee’s recommendation to retain the
paragraph’s current language was upheld by another 2-1 margin. *Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer. News media contact: (412) 325-6080 during General Conference, April 27-May 7. After May 10: (615) 742-5470.
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