While many mainline Protestant churches, like the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, have moved to permit gay clergy and same-sex marriages, the Methodist church has remained opposed. The church’s liberals had hoped that growing acceptance of gay people and gay marriage in the United States would provide momentum. PhotoAfter 44 years of debating sexuality issues, the United Methodist Church voted by a narrow margin on Wednesday to allow bishops to appoint a commission to re-evaluate rules on gay, lesbian and transgender clergy and marriage. The council is made up of all active and retired bishops from the church’s 46 areas in the United States and 20 outside. But it disappointed many conservatives who were exasperated that their church is still arguing over what they see as clear church teachings that prohibit openly gay and transgender clergy, and same-sex marriage.

Source: New York Times May 18, 2016 20:34 UTC