AME general conference votes to form committee to study LGBTQ issues

A day after its general conference voted down a bill that would have allowed clergy to perform same-sex marriages, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, meeting in Orlando, Florida, passed a resolution on July 8 to appoint a sexual ethics discernment committee to make recommendations to the denomination about LGBTQ matters.      

The ad hoc committee will identify, study, and offer explanations of all biblical texts addressing sexual orientation and gender identities, as well as of relevant AME doctrine and traditions of biblical interpretation. The committee will also develop and propose legislation.

Importantly, according to resolution coauthor Jennifer Leath, the committee “will hear the testimonials of LGBTQ+ individuals of African descent within and beyond the AME Church, so that we’re really hearing the voices of the people who are affected by the position of the church on these matters.” —Religion News Service