Episcopalians debate transgender inclusion in ministry

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Episcopalians debate transgender inclusion in ministry

By Susan Guyett

INDIANAPOLIS, IN | Thu Jul 5, 2012 9:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - A proposal to expand the U.S. Episcopal Church's nondiscrimination canons for the ordained ministry to include "gender identity and expression" passed its first hurdle on Thursday, when it won committee approval at the church's General Convention.

The move comes nine years after the Episcopal Church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, approved its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, sparking the departure of conservative parishes. The church now allows gay men and lesbians to join the ordained ministry.

At this year's triennial convention in Indianapolis, the church's leadership is also due to consider approving a liturgy for same-sex weddings. If approved, it will be on a trial basis.

The resolution on gender, which would prohibit the exclusion of transgender Episcopalians from the lay or ordained ministry, will next be considered by the House of Bishops, which could come as soon as Friday or Saturday, a church spokeswoman said.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/06/us-usa-religion-gaymarriage-transgender-idUSBRE86501720120706

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[Jared Martin]

2. Spam deleted by Violet_Crumble (MIR Team)

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Meanwhile, the Church of England may still be unable to ordain women bishops

An amendment to the proposed set-up, inserted in May, is seen by some as just too much pandering to misogyny:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/05/church-england-vote-women-bishops?newsfeed=true
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18702908

[cbayer]

4. I like it. Just keep kicking at that door until it is all the way open.

[Eugene]

5. Episcopalians move closer to allowing transgender ministers

Source: Reuters

Episcopalians move closer to allowing transgender ministers

By Susan Guyett
INDIANAPOLIS | Sat Jul 7, 2012 6:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops on Saturday approved a proposal that, if it survives a final vote, would give transgender men and women the right to become ministers in the church.

The House of Bishops voted at the church's General Convention to include "gender identity and expression" in its "non-discrimination canons," meaning sexual orientation, including that of people who have undergone sex-change operations, cannot be used to exclude candidates to ministry.

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The resolutions on gender would allow transgender individuals access to enter the Episcopal lay or ordained ministries, and extend the overall non-discrimination policy to church members.

The resolutions must now be approved by the church's House of Deputies.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/07/us-usa-religion-transgender-idUSBRE8660IX20120707