Church Ordains Lesbian (Press, 26 April 1982)

On 26 April 1982, news emerged from Washington regarding the groundbreaking ordination of Anne Holmes, a 31-year-old lesbian, as a member of the clergy in the United States, potentially marking the first instance of an acknowledged homosexual being appointed to such a position within a US church. Holmes was ordained by the Protestant United Church of Christ, a denomination known for its liberal values and inclusive stance, which consists of approximately 1.8 million members. Holmes expressed her reluctance to have her sexuality defined as the central issue of her ordination, stating, “I didn’t want this to become the issue, but I was too honest to hide it.” The ordination process in the United Church of Christ requires candidates to submit a comprehensive personal and theological biography, which led to Holmes disclosing her sexual orientation openly during her training. The topic of ordaining homosexuals remains contentious within the church. Notably, the Bishop of Denver faces potential sanctions from church authorities for declaring that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teachings.” Furthermore, the article highlights that the United States National Council of Churches is set to address the matter in the upcoming autumn, where it will consider the admission of the Metropolitan Community Churches, a denomination founded by and for homosexual individuals. This unfolding situation reflects broader theological and social debates regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in religious leadership roles within mainline Protestant denominations.

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