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Ashley Boggan D., chief executive of the United Methodist Archives and History Commission, said the center’s opening is “an ongoing commitment to building a church where all people are seen, heard, and valued.” and a call to us in the future.” Noting that the untold stories of LGBTQ members leave a void in the church’s history and identity, former Bishop Karen Oliveto spoke of the “importance of storytelling in shaping identity and justice.” He called for the inclusion of more diverse stories to enrich the history of the Church. Keynote speaker Randall Miller presented what he called an “impressionist portrait” of the evolution of the church’s LGBTQ inclusion movement.
Evoking both painful memories of the past and needed funds for the future, the church took another step toward inclusivity with the dedication of the new LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center on October 23rd.
In her welcome address, Ashley Bogan D., chief executive of the sponsoring United Methodist Archives and History Commission, called this historic event “a church where all people are seen, heard, and valued.” A call to us today and in the future to build.” . It is a call to live our United Methodist identity to its fullest. ”
The evening gathering of about 85 supporters was held at the United Methodist-affiliated Drew Center, which is a short walk to campus from the commission’s offices and the United Methodist Archives, where the collections, archives, and exhibits that make up the Heritage Center are housed. It enlivened the seminary chapel.
Participants celebrated with celebratory songs and serious speeches from leaders of the church and its LGBTQ rights movement. The event included an exhibit of historical quilts, a screening and discussion of the 2022 film 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture. This documentary details the dramatic history of the mistranslation that introduced the term “gay” into the Bible, and the painstaking efforts of researchers to correct the error.
Meanwhile, the event attracted more than 100 livestream participants and raised $7,005, exceeding the online fundraising goal of $5,000.
Boggan introduced the new center’s chair, former bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly gay bishop. Mr. Oliveto led the Western Jurisdiction Mountain Sky Episcopal Area from 2016 until his retirement on September 1st. She praised Bogan’s “bold and visionary leadership” in calling for the center’s creation shortly after the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, voted to abolish it. Longstanding denomination-wide restrictions targeting LGBTQ people, including a 48-year ban on using church funds to “promote acceptance of homosexuality.”
“Promote, preserve and protect” LGBTQ history
Oliveto announced the center’s purpose to “promote, preserve, and protect the history and experience of LGBTQ+ United Methodists.” She claims that since the 1984 General Conference outlawed homosexuality among ordained clergy, their lives have been “erased from the pages of United Methodist history” and “systematically removed from church leadership (by He deplored efforts to “silence and even erase the voices of people”. The painfully isolating consequences include a lack of visible LGBTQ role models and viable paths to ministry, she explained.
Keynote speaker Randall Miller, a lifelong United Methodist and longtime advocate of LGBTQ inclusion, will speak at the dedication of the new LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center in Madison, New Jersey. He praised archives and history for “leading the way into the future by recognizing LGBTQ+ people and populations.” their past. ” Photo: John Coleman, UM News.
Noting that the untold stories of LGBTQ members leave a void in the Church’s history and identity, the bishop emphasized “the importance of storytelling in forming identity and justice,” He called for the inclusion of more diverse stories to enrich the story.
“LGBTQ+ United Methodists have made significant contributions to this denomination,” she said. “But we have also paid a great price for remaining faithful to a church that is not necessarily faithful to us.”
Mr. Oliveto then introduced the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Randall Miller. He is a lifelong United Methodist and long-time advocate for LGBTQ inclusion. Miller is known for his contributions to queer inclusion and social justice within and outside the church. He praised Archives and History for “leading the way to the future by recognizing LGBTQ+ people and their past.”
Miller presented what he called an “impressionist portrait” of the evolution of the church’s LGBTQ inclusion movement in four stages. He called the first phase the “initial opposition” phase of the late 1960s and early 1970s. At the time, a loose collection of openly gay and lesbian clergy and laity bravely called for a change in restrictive, long-held beliefs and expectations. There was a gender and sexual revolution in America, and a new United Methodist Church was born.
As the nascent denomination adopted discriminatory policies against its gay and lesbian members, these early advocates paved the way for subsequent stages, which Miller later adopted the title from the influential United・I borrowed it from a Methodist gay and lesbian issue magazine and called it “Manna for Traveling.”
They formed the United Methodist Gay Caucus in 1975, but changed its name to “Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian and Gay Concerns” in 1978. An unofficial queer caucus sought to change church policy and provide a “safe haven” for members. Miller said Affirmation’s relationships extend beyond the church, especially to members who feel ostracized by the denomination’s bans.
This discriminatory language began in 1972, when the General Conference added to the denomination’s social principles the statement that “the practice of homosexuality…is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Subsequent general conferences continued the anti-gay position in the sect’s social teachings. Then, in 1984, that position became a matter of canon law when the denomination banned “self-identified and active” homosexual clergy. The tightening of regulations has had a demoralizing blow to Affirmation’s members.
This required the caucus to pivot and further promote grassroots, local church, and stakeholder organizing through a new Reconciliation Congregations program. During the opening of the Cultural Heritage Center, Archives and History displayed a colorful quilt representing the member churches at the Second Reconciliation Congregation Convocation in 1990.
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For more information about the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, visit ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory. Check out the livestream recording and photos of the LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center celebration on the Archives and History Facebook page.
As the Reconciliation congregations attracted allies beyond their member congregations, it became the current Reconciliation Ministry Network. Miller recalled that dedicated parents of LGBTQ members became strong advocates for the network, organizing and attending meetings and activities to support their children.
“Our goal at the time was not to get involved in church politics, but we aimed to provide a witness to the church and move towards cultural and religious change where LGBTQ+ people are welcomed and affirmed. “I tried very hard,” he said.
Miller, who has a doctorate in ethics and social theory, began asserting himself as a leader of these various organizations in the mid-1980s. He continued to serve the Order as a member of the Judicial Council and as a delegate to several General Conferences. His involvement also includes leadership roles in academia, philanthropy, and social justice communities.
Although he has worked with other denominations and organizations, he has remained focused on United Methodism, he told listeners, because “that’s always been where I belong” throughout his life.
Advocate for full inclusion and acceptance
Miller described the third phase of the movement as a “between times,” and said it was a painful and difficult period, with the rise of conservative organizations opposed to LGBTQ inclusion and growing calls for discipline. Ta. The result was further restrictions, punitive charges, clergy trials, suspensions and expulsions. The 1996 general conference added a prohibition on celebrating same-sex unions.
He said the movement continued to advocate for full inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ individuals, but that early momentum and optimism began to wane with repeated defeats.
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Miller dubbed the final stage “surfing through the chaos,” praising Oliveto’s 2016 bid for bishop, saying he was chosen as the most qualified candidate overall. The historic election overcame a challenge to the denomination’s highest court, the United Methodist Judicial Council, and helped lead to several counterproposals for the 2019 special session.
In 2019, Congress narrowly passed a traditional plan that tightened restrictions on LGBTQ participation. In a separate vote, the special general meeting also approved a provision in church law that conditionally allows churches to secede from denominations with property based on “grounds of conscience” related to homosexuality. The denomination lost about a quarter of its U.S. churches to defections before its provisions expired on Dec. 31, 2023. The Judicial Council has just ruled out using any other means to leave property to the cult.
But at the recent general meeting, Mr Miller said it was heartening to see participation restrictions lifted. He acknowledged that change has come too late for many who have left the church hurt and cannot or will not return. However, he was pleased to see conversations, relationships and partnerships emerging among some participants, despite disagreements in each other’s perspectives.
“Our challenge now is to build on this and build closer relationships with each other,” he said.
Miller cited 1 John 4:18, which says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” as the “central organizing principle” of the LGBTQ inclusion movement, calling for more love. He emphasized the need for continued vigilance in society. Promote true inclusivity within the church. He also called for sufficient financial support to support the work and impact of the new LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center.
Following his message, noted musician, composer, and Drew University professor Mark Miller led the audience in a spirited singalong. Some songs celebrated the occasion, while others were meditative, as if remembering those who struggled and suffered within the movement.
Fittingly, the popular song leader closed out the inauguration with “Draw the Circle Wide,” the unofficial anthem of the LGBTQ inclusion movement, as attendees gathered around the venue, holding hands and singing at the top of their lungs.
The Rev. John W. Coleman is a freelance United Methodist journalist and part-time minister.
