Frequently Asked Questions

• Where does the Episcopal Church stand on gay and lesbian issues?
• Does the Episcopal Church ordain openly gay and lesbian people?
• Does the Episcopal Church bless same-sex relationships?
• Can straight people join Integrity?
• Why does Integrity include bisexual and transgender people in its mission?
• Does Integrity promote pedophilia?
• Doesn't the Bible condemn homosexuality?
• What is the difference between local chapters, networks, and circles?
• How many members does Integrity have?
• How many chapters does Integrity have?

Where does the Episcopal Church stand on gay and lesbian issues?

The Episcopal Church is still wrestling with the full inclusion of gay and lesbian folk and their equal access to the sacraments--though we are further ahead than most denominations.  Many dioceses and congregations are actively supportive, a few are actively hostile, and most are somewhere in between. 

In 1976 the General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed the following resolutions...

Resolved, that it is the sense of this General Convention that homosexual persons are children of God and have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church.

Resolved, that this General Convention expresses its conviction that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and calls upon our society to see that such protection is provided in actuality.

In 1994 the General Convention of passed the following resolution...

No person shall be denied rights, status, or an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by Canon.

In 1997 the General Convention Church passed the following resolution...

That this 72nd General Convention apologizes on behalf of the Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian and to lesbians and gay men outside the Church for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church; . . . That this Church repents of its sins committed against lesbian and gay people—physical, psychological and spiritual—through covert and overt action and inaction. We seek amendment of our life together and we ask for God’s help in sharing the Good News with all people.

Does the Episcopal Church ordain openly gay and lesbian people?

Closeted gay and lesbian people have been ordained throughout Christian history.  The same has been true in the Episcopal Church.

In 1977, Bishop Paul Moore of New York ordained Ellen Barrett as the first openly lesbian priest in the Episcopal Church.  Since then, numerous openly gay and lesbian clergy have been ordained or come out of the closet.

In 1993, Bishop Otis Charles of Utah retired and came out.

In 1994 the General Convention passed the following resolution...

No one shall be denied access to the selection process for ordination in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by these Canons. No right to ordination is hereby established.

In 1996, several conservative bishops filed heresy charges against retired Bishop Walter Righter because he had ordain an openly gay man to the deaconate.  The ecclesiastical court dismissed the charges--ruling that the Episcopal Church had no clear doctrine on the issue.

In 2003, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Does the Episcopal Church bless same-sex relationships?

In 2003, the General Convention passed the following resolution...

We recognize that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions.

Although only a few dioceses have official, written policies on the blessing of same-sex relationships, a number of bishops implicitly allow the clergy of their diocese to bless same-sex unions.  Click here for more information.

At this time, no diocese in the Episcopal Church permits same-sex marriages--even in those states and municipalities that permit it.

Can straight people join Integrity?

Absolutely!  Integrity welcomes the membership and support of heterosexual folk.

Why does Integrity include bisexual and transgender people in its mission?

Both bisexual and transgender folk are widely misunderstood and discriminated against by both the straight and gay communities.

In 1948, Alfred Kinsey published a 7-point sexual orientation scale.  Although most people are exclusively heterosexual (0) or homosexual (6) in their orientation and behavior, many fall somewhere in-between (1-5).  Contrary to popular belief, most bisexual people do not have concurrent relationship with both men and women.

"Transgender" is a broad term for those who do not conform to societal gender norms.  It includes those who enjoy wearing clothing associated with the opposite gender (transvestites or cross-dressers) and those who feel that their internal gender identity does not match their physical gender (transsexuals).  Many transvestites are heterosexual.  Not all transsexuals have had, or are in the process of  having, a "sex-change operation."

Does Integrity promote pedophilia?

No.  Integrity opposes all forms of sexual behavior that are exploitive and nonconsensual.  Because of the intellectual, physical, and social power differences between adults and children, sex between the adults and minors is always exploitive (by the adult) and nonconsensual (by the minor).

Contrary to popular myth, most homosexuals are not pedophiles.  In fact, the vast majority of pedophiles are heterosexual.

Doesn't the Bible condemn homosexuality?

A number of passages in the Bible are used to condemn homosexuality.  Click here for a good analysis of those passages.

For Episcopalians, the four gospels are the most important part of the Bible.  It is significant that Jesus never addressed homosexuality.  However, Jesus spent a great of time ministering to those considered outcasts by the society and religious leaders of his day.

Episcopalians have historically looked to three sources of spiritual authority--scripture, tradition, and reason.  Using scientific knowledge and personal experience, we employ our God-given intellect to interpret the Bible.  In the past, the Bible has been used to justify slavery and the domination of women.  Even so, the Holy Spirit is leading the church into a greater understanding of the truth about homosexuality.

What is the difference between local chapters, networks, and circles?

Chapters are the original mode in which Integrity members worked together at the local level.  This model has been and continues to be effective in many places.  However, chapters tend to take a lot of time and resources to initiate and maintain.  Several years ago national Integrity's board of directors authorized two new ways for Integrity members to cooperate at the local level--networks and circles.  Here's a summary of the differences between the three modes...

How many members does Integrity have?

There are about 2000 members of Integrity USA.  This number goes up and down as new members join and current members fail to renew.

How many chapters does Integrity have?

There are about 60 in the United States.  This number goes up and down as chapters form and dissolve.  Click here for a current list.

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