Due to our congregational governance, ordination is handled at the local church level and also on the association level if someone desires a nationally recognized ordination.

Decisions regarding same-gender blessings are handled at the local church level due to our congregational governance.

All congregations are autonomous. The voluntary Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is not supported by the national denomination although many individual churches are members. Some associations and regions have objected to congregations adopting a welcoming and affirming statement, but the Regional Executive Ministers Council has adopted a position of toleration in keeping with historic Baptist principles supporting the autonomy of the local church.

Yes. Advocacy spokespeople are often invited to present at American Baptist associational, regional and national gatherings. Denomination leaders advocate for peace, poverty, education issues, among others, on local, state and national levels.

The denomination's openness to LGBT advocacy groups varies. Groups are general not welcomed at national events, but tolerated. Regional and associational groups tend to be much more welcoming.

The New Baptist Covenant Celebration, held in January, 2008 and organized by Presidents Carter and Clinton, included groups advocating LGBT equality. The report from the event of over 18,000 people from numerous Baptist denominations includes a point on protecting the "civil rights of gays and lesbians" as well as points addressing poverty, peacemaking, interfaith work, environmental issues and other important issues.

Allowed, if not in a same-gender relationship

Not Allowed.

Welcoming and affirming congregations are treated the same as other congregations.

No

They were allowed to participate in events such as World Conference, Peace Colloquy, and Congregational Life Workshops until 2005. Since then, only exhibit booths from preselected groups were allowed and all workshops and seminars have been through invitation only.

No

Officially allowed unless in same-gender relationship; Unofficially allowed on a case by case basis in some synods.

Not recommended, but allowed.

Quietly supportive. The ELCA has its own welcome statement for gay and lesbian people.

YES –against violence and for equality in housing and employment.

Varies synod by synod.

In August 2007, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed a motion which asked its bishops to refrain from or use restraint in the discipline of pastors in committed same-gender relationships. A social statement on sexuality is due for consideration at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly along with recommendations on policy change regarding the rostered service of persons in same-gender relationships.

We ordain and commission GLB folks and working on Transgender.

National policy supports marriages but individual congregations make the decision to offer them.

A loose connection, but shares resources and supports the program.

Yes, against hate crimes, support of human rights, support of marriages, etc.

Yes, but not always as a speaker.

Denomination ordains openly LGBT persons, as fitness determined by local Association.

Denomination blesses unions and marriages for all, according to pastors' or congregations' discretion.

All congregations have autonomy; voluntary ONA ministry supported by national resources directed by General Synod.

General Synod is on record with resolutions for civil rights, anti-discrimination, anti-hate crimes, pro-education on LGBT topics, and pro-LGBT inclusion.

Yes. Advocacy spokespeople often invited to present keynote at UCC functions.

Yes. “Affirming the Participation and Ministry of Transgender People Within The United Church of Christ and Supporting Their Civil and Human Rights,” Adopted by the Twenty-fourth General Synod on July 15, 2003.

Explicitly against “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” as clergy.

Explicitly against “ceremonies that celebrate homosexuality.”

Congregations are prohibited from calling themselves “Reconciling.” Those who do are committing ecclesial disobedience.

Positive statement on equal rights regardless of sexual orientation; also Church and Society endorsed the passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Yes

Membership is under attack; recent court case (1032) upheld the barring of a gay person from membership in a UM church in Virginia.