Homosexual Acts ‘morally Neutral’ (Press, 2 December 1967)

On 1 December 1967, a symposium attended by 90 Episcopalian clergymen in New York discussed the moral implications of homosexual acts. The event, known as Project H, was held at the Cathedral of St John the Divine and was supported by the Episcopal dioceses of New York, Connecticut, Long Island, and New Jersey. The discussions led to a consensus among many of the participating priests that homosexual acts should not be condemned, provided there is evidence of love between the partners involved. The Rev. Walter D. Dennis, who organised the symposium, highlighted the need for Christians to reconsider traditional views that have ostracised homosexuals, likening their current treatment to that of “modern-day lepers.” He asserted that homosexual relationships between consenting adults should be evaluated using the same criteria as heterosexual marriages, emphasising that the focus should be on whether these relationships foster enduring love. However, the symposium did not lack dissenting opinions. The Rev. L. Robert Foutz voiced a contrasting viewpoint, insisting that homosexual acts should always be viewed as perversions, as they do not align with the natural processes of child-rearing. While the majority of clergymen leaned towards a more accepting stance on homosexual relationships, the discussions underscored the complexities and differing beliefs within the church regarding the moral evaluation of love and sexuality.

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