May 11, 2000

Civil Disobedience Dramatizes Frustration and Anger Regarding Votes to Continue to Discriminate

Cleveland, OH - Today, 27 United Methodists, including 2 Bishops, were arrested when they moved from the floor of the United Methodist General Conference to the restricted area around the podium.

Over 50 United Methodists had moved to the floor to be silent witnesses for those who have been wounded by discriminatory church policies when General Conference voted to retain language in the Book of Discipline stating that "homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." The Book of Discipline is the rulebook for United Methodists.

After the bishop presiding over the proceedings asked the witnesses to leave the floor, General Conference delegates voted to allow the 25 witnesses willing to risk arrest to maintain their silent vigil on the floor and proceeded with business.

The witnesses moved to the podium to express their dismay after two additional votes were taken to uphold current discriminatory policies against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the church: 1) that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals can not be ordained, and 2) that ministers shall not conduct same-sex unions.

As the 25 witnesses moved to the podium area, they were joined by Bishop Joseph Sprague and Bishop Susan Morrison. All were arrested and charged with "Disrupting a Lawful Meeting," a fourth degree misdemeanor. Bishop Sprague, Rev. Gil Calwell, and Rev. Greg Dell had taken part in an act of civil disobedience that took place yesterday and were arrested today for the second time in two days. A $250.00 bond was paid for all the witnesses arrested. They will be arraigned on May 12.

"In the midst of the lie by some bishops that our church is one body united in hospitality and love, the people who risked arrest spoke the truth in love," stated Katherine Johnson, Executive Director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. "We are not one body, we are a broken and wounded body, and our wounds are bleeding."

"We have been working within the church for a more inclusive church which embraces all of God's children, regardless of sexual orientation," declared Marilyn Alexander, Executive Director of the Reconciling Congregations Program. "We can no longer trust the process. This is not about process. This is about people."

A M A R
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgendered Concerns
Methodist Federation for Social Action
and Reconciling Congregation Program

Coordinators: Jeanne Knepper, Affirmation - Kathryn Johnson, MFSA - Marilyn Alexander, RCP

c/o In All Things Charity
Gregory Dell, Executive Director
3344 North Broadway ~ Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-935-9354
Fax: 773-327-8477
E-mail: IATC98@aol.com

As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.