1984-05-11

On this date the United Methodist Church voted to bar homosexuals from ordination. Popularly seen by many by their mid-(last) century reputation as a moderate mainline denomination, the United Methodist Church has moved ever more to the Right in the last few decades. The judicial power in the church resides in the more conservative South and has resulted in a more Baptist-like keening of the church. For many the decision in 1984 was the sign of things that would and did come.

In the 1990s, the denomination re-branded itself with the catchy slogan “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” Sadly these sentiments do not apply to Gay people in the United Methodist Church.

As recently as April of this year (2017) the Methodist court ruled that the first out gay Bishop is in violation of church law and should face trial.