Lutheran youth vote to be gay-friendly

Christian Century, August 23, 2003

The official youth office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has voted overwhelmingly to accept gay and lesbian members, even as the denomination remains divided on its policies on human sexuality.

More than 300 delegates to the Lutheran Youth Organization voted by a 91 percent margin July 23 to welcome people of all sexual orientations and to be listed as a "Reconciling in Christ" organization with Lutherans Concerned, an independent group of gay Lutherans.

"I am deeply thankful to the Lutheran youth for speaking out so strongly to make gay, lesbian and bisexual people of faith welcome in their organization," Bob Gibeling, program executive for Lutherans Concerned, said in a press release. "This is a clear indication of the youth leading the church to be more inclusive and welcoming." Lutherans Concerned says there are about 300 "Reconciling in Christ" congregations, synods or organizations in the ELCA.

The vote came during LYO's convention in Atlanta, which was sandwiched between two larger gatherings sponsored by the church July 16-20 and July 23-27. The two sessions of the triennial ELCA Youth Gathering drew almost 40,000 youths and adults to Atlanta. The two massive rallies at the Georgia Dome were not legislative meetings.

The ELCA, whose biennial Churchwide Assembly convened in Milwaukee this month, is in the midst of a four-year study on human sexuality. The church currently does not ordain actively gay pastors or bless same-sex unions, but it allows celibate homosexuals to serve as clergy.--RNS