Statement on Nomination of Lesbian and Gay Priests in Episcopal Church

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement today on the nomination of three openly lesbian and gay priests as bishops, one from Minnesota and two from Los Angeles, by the Episcopal Church. A moratorium on ordaining lesbians and gays into the church was recently lifted after being adopted three years ago when the church’s first and only openly gay bishop was ordained, V. Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.

"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. "The Episcopal church is modeling for denominations and religions across the country how our faiths can be open and inclusive of all people. We are deeply grateful to the painstaking work of LGBT Episcopalian affinity and advocacy group, Integrity, for making this day possible. As our Religion Council member and President of Integrity, Rev. Susan Russell, writes 'the season of fasting at the expense of the vocations of gays and lesbians in the Episcopal Church is at an end.'"