Presbyterian Church to Allow Ministers to Perform Marriages Between Same-Sex Couples

Washington, DC, March 18, 2015—The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has amended its constitution to allow its ministers to perform marriages between same-sex couples, while upholding the church’s belief that the “unique commitment between two people” has been “traditionally between a man and a woman.” In response, the National LGBTQ Task Force released the following statement:

“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with the passage of Amendment 14F, joins a growing number of faith communities working to create a welcoming space of worship for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. We applaud the work of More Light Presbyterians and other groups within the church who worked diligently over the years to reach this historic day,” said Rev. Rodney McKenzie, Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force.

The Presbyterian Church USA, with about 1.8 million members, is the nation’s largest Presbyterian denomination. In 2011, the church adopted a new policy to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian pastors. Among other religious denominations that recognize marriages between same-sex couples include the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Quakers, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches, and the Reform and Conservative movements within Judaism.

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CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org