Gay and Lesbian Episcopal Priests Nominated

The Episcopal Church Diocese in Los Angeles and Minnesota are making history by nominating openly gay and lesbian priests as bishops within their Diocese. The Diocese of Los Angeles, which represents 70,000 Episcopalians in six counties, nominated six priests for the position of assistant bishop. Of these six two candidates, the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of Baltimore are openly gay and lesbian respectively. The election will occurs in December when the diocese meets for its annual convention in Riverside, Calif.

Also this past weekend, Episcopal leaders in Minnesota nominated the Rev. Bonnie Perry, currently the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Chicago and an adjunct professor at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., for the position of bishop. Perry has been in a committed relationship with Rev. Susan Harlow for 22 years. Perry is one of three candidates currently slated for this position. The final candidate roster will be announced September 25 and the election is scheduled for October 31 in Minneapolis.

“We applaud the Diocese of Minnesota and the Diocese of Los Angeles for nominating openly gay and lesbian priests as part of a diverse, highly qualified slate of candidates,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

This development is not just good news for the Anglican church; it is good news for all people of faith seeking religious communities that understand our sexuality and gender identity is a gift from God and should never be used to bare us from worship or our call to ministry.

More