Iowa United Methodists Pledge to Defend LGBTQIA Rights, Push UMC Inclusion

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Advocating Justice

United Methodists in Iowa have voted overwhelmingly to include LGBTQIA persons in the church and to defend them against the erosion of their civil rights.

Clergy and lay members of the Iowa Annual Conference adopted the two resolutions with a 95 percent majority on a consent calendar. A “consent calendar” is a legislative device in which an assembly can vote on multiple items that have little or no opposition.

Iowa United Methodists’ vote came after a tumultuous Iowa Legislature session that passed legislation denying rights to transgender persons despite widespread objections. Dozens of Iowa United Methodists and other people of faith filled the state capitol in protest of the legislation, which was later signed into law by the governor.

The UMC-related resolution states that the Iowa Conference:

  • Celebrates the changes to The Book of Discipline which have moved us toward full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons.
  • Confesses its history of participation in the exclusion and discrimination of LGBTQIA+ persons and commits itself to a period of reflection, education, confession, and correction.
  • Commits itself to being in mission and ministry with the LGBTQIA+ community, welcoming all persons into full participation in the life of our churches, districts, conference, and denomination, ensuring that all are affirmed, supported, and empowered in their faith journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The resolution also pledges “That the Iowa Conference will actively seek ways to lead The United Methodist Church in acts of confession, contrition, and correction, advocating for policies and practices that promote justice, reconciliation, and the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons at all levels, the church's life and ministry.

The human-rights resolution states: “That the Iowa Annual Conference opposes any legislation that marginalizes or harms LGBTQIA+ individuals.”

The resolution also says that the conference “urges elected officials to reject policies denying the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons and instead advocate for laws ensuring dignity, equality, and justice for all and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Legislature, and Iowa's congressional delegation as a statement of our unwavering commitment to justice and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ persons.”

The Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Neal, senior pastor of Grace UMC in Des Moines, praised the conference action after the two resolutions were adopted. Dr. Neal and the Rev. Jordan Derhammer Capek, co-chairs of the conference’s LGBTQ+ Full Inclusion Committee, brought the resolutions to the conference.

“These resolutions are more than symbolic gestures,” Dr. Neal said in a follow-up article posted on the conference website.

“They are the first fruits of our Conference’s new LGBTQ+ Full Inclusion Committee, a team that is still in formation but already hard at work. Together, we are determined to help lead our Conference on the path of healing the deep harm that exclusion, discrimination, and silence have done to so many in our church and communities.”

In a March statement, Iowa Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai expressed regret at the Iowa Legislature’s removal of civil rights protections for trans people. Citing the United Methodist Social Principles’ support for sexual and gender minorities, she wrote:

“I am heartbroken by the punitive legislation passed by Iowa lawmakers and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds removing civil rights protections from trans Iowans.  According to a 2022 Pew Research study, just 1.6% of U.S. adults identify as trans. Yet this tiny minority has been singled out for marginalization and attack.”

Bishop Bigham-Tsai pointed out that the legislation “removes gender identity as a protect class within Iowa’s Civil Rights Act.

“That could impact housing, employment and access to credit for trans individuals throughout our state. It opens the door to discrimination and harm. A tiny minority that is already disproportionately bullied has been made even more vulnerable. This is not the way of Christ.”