DO YOU PART YOUR CHURCH SAYS NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT HERE.

THAT AS A PASTOR THAT BREAKS MY HEART.

>> LOVE IS ININCREDIBLY SHORT SUPPLY IN OUR WORLD THESE DAYS.

THE CHURCH OUGHT TO BE CELEBRATING LOVE.

>> BONNIE: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

SINCE 2015 WHEN THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BANS, MILLIONS OF GAY COUPLES HAVE MARRIED IN AMERICA.

BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THE DOORS OF ALL HOUSES OF WORSHIP ARE OPEN AND WELCOMING TO GAY, LESBIAN AND TRANSGENDER COUPLES TO MARRY IN THEIR SANCTUARY.

MANY MAINLINE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES STILL DENY SAME-SEX COUPLES THE RIGHT TO MARRY IN THEIR CHOSEN HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

>> EVERYBODY ASSUMED THAT WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS LEGAL, THAT ALL LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES COULD GO OUT AND MARRY THE PERSON THEY WERE IN LOVE.

>> REV.

LEAPHEART: LOTS OF CHURCHES HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT RULES AROUND WHETHER THEY WILL OFFICIATE, SAME-SEX MARRIAGES.

>> BONNIE: REV.

NAOMI WASHINGTON LEAPHEART IS FAITH WORK DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE.

SHE SAYS THE RIGHT TO MARRIAGE RITES IN THE CHURCH VARIES BY GEOGRAPHY, DENOMINATION AND INDIVIDUAL CHURCH.

>> REV.

LEAPHEART: THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST AND THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ARE ALL EMPHATICALLY AFFIRMING OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS, FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, DENOMINATION-WIDE.

HOWEVER, CLERGY STILL HAVE LOTS OF POWER, AND LAYPEOPLE STILL HAVE LOTS OF POWER TO REALLY DETERMINE THE ATMOSPHERE IN THEIR CONGREGATIONS.

>> BONNIE: THAT ATMOSPHERE AND DOES RESULT IN INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES THAT ARE NOT AFFIRMING REV.

LEAPHEART AND HER WIFE ARE MEMBERS OF A CALIFORNIA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST , OR UCC CONGREGATION.

BUT THEY LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND WERE WORRIED ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AS THEY PREPARED FOR THEIR WEDDING.

THEY DECIDED TO FORGO A CHURCH WEDDING.

>> REV.

LEAPHEART: WE JUST FLEW IN ALL THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS THAT WE WANTED TO PARTICIPATE, AND WE HAD THE SERVICE ON A BEACH.

AND, SO I THINK IT WAS A VERY HOLY EXPERIENCE, IT WAS CERTAINLY RELIGIOUS IN TERMS OF ITS TONE, ITS CONTENT, BUT IT WASN'T IN A FOUR-WALL CHURCH.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF APPROACHING A CONGREGATION AND THEN, OH, THEY FIND OUT IT'S TWO WOMEN AND THEN THEY SAY NO.

WE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT IN THE WEDDING PLANNING PROCESS.

>> BONNIE: REALLY?

YOU HAD IT IN THE WEDDING PLANNING PROCESS.

>> REV.

LEAPHEART: WE SAID, 'WE'RE GETTING MARRIED, WOULD YOU BE OUR PLANNER?'

AND THE PERSON TOOK A MINUTE TO RESPOND, AND THEN SAID, 'I'M SORRY, I WON'T BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU.

I BELIEVE IN THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE.

>> BONNIE: DESPITE DISCRIMINATION, LGBTQ PEOPLE FACE IN CERTAIN CHURCHES, MANY STAY AFFILIATED.

SARAH MCBRIDE, OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN SAYS, IT'S FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

>> SARAH: THEY MAY HAVE GROWN UP IN THAT CHURCH THEIR FRIENDS THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PART OF THAT CHURCH AND THEY WERE A MEMBER OF THAT CHURCH EVEN BEFORE THEY BEGAN TO GRAPPLE WITH THEIR OWN GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

>> BONNIE: MCBRIDE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT ATTITUDES ARE CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.

A 2017 PEW RESEARCH CENTER STUDY BACKS HER UP.

IT FOUND 68% OF WHITE MAINLINE PROTESTANTS SUPPORT ALLOWING GAYS AND LESBIANS TO MARRY LEGALLY, UP FROM 43% IN 2007.

>> SARAH: MORE AND MORE WE'RE SEEING FAITH COMMUNITIES LIVE UP TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THEIR FAITH OF LOVE AND INCLUSION AND WELCOMING SPACES SANCTUARY >> A MEMBER ON THE TASK FORCE IN THE STUDY OF MARRIAGE -- >> BONNIE: IT WAS AGAINST HIS BACKDROP THAT EPISCOPALIANS GATHERED RECENTLY FOR THE 79TH TRIENNIAL GENERAL CONVENTION.

>> BISHOP CURRY: HOW DO WE LIVE TOGETHER WHEN WE ARE A TRULY AND PROFOUNDLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF FAITH.

>> BONNIE: PRESIDING BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY, WHO MAY LOOK FAMILIAR BECAUSE HE OFFICIATED AT THE WEDDING OF PRINCE HARRY AND MEGAN MARKLE, SAYS IT'S A DELICATE BALANCING ACT AS BISHOPS, CLERGY, AND LAITY CONTINUE TO ADDRESS CHURCH POLICY ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

>> BISHOP CURRY: THE SACRAMENTAL RITE OF HOLY MATRIMONY, AT OUR LAST CONVENTION, THIS WAS IN 2015 ACTUALLY WE MADE THAT POSSIBLE.

IT WAS OPENING UP MARRIAGE SO THAT PEOPLE OF THE SAME-SEX COULD PARTICIPATE AND TAKE THE SAME VOWS BE HELD TO THE SAME COMMITMENTS THAT ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR.

BUT HOW DO YOU DO THAT ALSO IN THE SAME WAY, AT THE SAME TIME, FOR PEOPLE WHO DISAGREE WITH THAT?

>> WE PAUSE TO CELEBRATE THE INCREMENTAL VICTORIES THAT HAVE BEEN WON ON THE ROAD TO THAT AUDACIOUS GOAL BEING A BELOVED COMMUNITY WHERE THERE ARE NO STRANGERS AT THE GATE -- >> BONNIE: REV.

SUSAN RUSSELL OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES SERVED ON THE TASK FORCE ON THE STUDY OF MARRIAGE.

THE TASK FORCE WAS SET UP TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS AFTER THE 2015 EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONVENTION.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: AS THE PRIEST AND PASTOR AND AS A LESBIAN AND AS A FEMINIST I'M INTERESTED IN HOW THE CHURCH CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND ADDRESS THE VOICES OF THE MARGINALIZED PARTICULARLY WOMEN AND LGBTQ PEOPLE.

IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THIS WORK, I MYSELF GOT ENGAGED AND GOT MARRIED AND SO AT MY RIPE OLD AGE GOD BLESSED ME WITH A LIFE PARTNER WHO IS AN AWESOME WIFE AND A WONDERFUL PERSON AND SO NOW BRINGING ALSO THE PERSONAL INTO THE PASTORAL.

>> BONNIE: SINCE THE LAST GENERAL CONVENTION TIME MARRIAGE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES.

THE NEW LITGERS HAD BEEN USED UNDER THE DISCRETION AND WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE DIOCESES AND BISHOP AND CLERGY RETAINED THE RIGHT TO OFFICIATE AT ANY WEDDING.

HERE AT ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CROSS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE ALL THE PRESIDENTS SINCE MADISON HAVE COME TO WORSHIP MANY SAME-SEX WEDDINGS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED.

BUT ONLY BISHOPS OF 93 OF THE101 U.S. EPISCOPAL DIOCESES GAVE THEIR PERMISSION.

PRIESTS IN THE OTHER EIGHT DIOCESES, WERE NOT ALLOWED TO PERFORM SAME-SEX WEDDINGS IN OR OUTSIDE THEIR CHURCHES OR OFFER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES MARRIED IN OTHER DIOCESES.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: THERE ARE EIGHT DIOCESE IS WHERE THE BISHOP HAS SAID NO, THAT HE, OR IN THIS CASE IT WOULD BE HE, THEY'RE ALL MEN, HE WILL NOT AUTHORIZE USE OF THOSE LITURGIES.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE IS TO END WHAT IS KIND OF A DE FACTO SACRAMENTAL APARTHEID, WHERE FOR SOME EPISCOPALIANS IN SOME DIOCESES THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE SACRAMENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A SAME-SEX COUPLE.

>> BONNIE: THE BISHOP OF DALLAS CREATED A PROVISION CALLED THE I-30 PLAN.

>> REV.

MCCOMAS: HE ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO ARE GAY OR LESBIAN TO COME FROM DALLAS TO OUR CHURCH IN FORT WORTH VIA I-30.

I HAVE DONE AT LEAST THREE WEDDINGS FOR COUPLES FROM THE DIOCESE IN DALLAS."

THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR MARRIAGE BLESSED AND PERFORMED IN A SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE NEARBY.

>> RISE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE I--- >> BONNIE: DALLAS PASTOR CASEY SHOBE SAYS SINCE THE 2015 GENERAL CONVENTION THEY'VE HAD DOZENS OF COUPLES MARRY ELSEWHERE AND OTHERS ARE WAITING AND HOPING THEY WILL SOON BE ABLE TO TIE THE KNOT IN THEIR OWN CHURCH.

>> REV.

SHOBE: IT'S JUST SUCH A SOURCE OF GREAT PAIN FROM MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WHO MAY HAVE BEEN MEMBERS FOR DECADES TO BE TOLD YOU CAN'T BE MARRIED IN YOUR OWN CHURCH BY CLERGY WHO ARE YOUR PASTORS WHO HAVE WALKED WITH YOU THROUGH IMPORTANT AND SACRED AND SOMETIMES PAINFUL MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE THAT SUDDENLY FOR THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE YOU HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> BONNIE: FOLLOWING HEARINGS AND DELIBERATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THE TASK FORCE ON THE STUDY OF MARRIAGE ARRIVED WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO DEBATE.

AND VOTE ON AT THE GENERAL CONVENTION.

MEMBERS PROPOSED ELIMINATING THE BISHOP'S VETO, ALLOWING ANY CHURCH TO USE THE TRIAL MARRIAGE RITES AND CHANGING THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER TO INCLUDE THE LITURGY AS THEY SAID AS MATTHEW 5:37 STATES, LET OUR YES BE YES.

>> ROSEMARIE: WHEN THE GENERAL CONVENTION IN 2015 APPROVED SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WE AS A FAMILY CELEBRATED BECAUSE IT PROVIDED HOPE FOR OUR SON AND HIS COLLEAGUES.

YET THE DALLAS DIOCESE PROHIBIT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WE HAVE SEEN OF THIS ACTION.

IF A CHILD IS BAPTIZED, WHY CAN'T THAT SAME CHILD OF GOD RECEIVE ALL THE SACRAMENTS?

>> JASON: BY THEOLOGICALLY REDEFINING THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE IT SEEMS THIS RESOLUTION FAILS TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE SCRIPTURES AND THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIAN TRADITION.

WE ARE REVISING THE ANCIENT TRADITIONS.

TEACHING OF THE CHURCH.

>> FATHER SINGLETON: IN 2003 WHEN GENE ROBINSON WAS ORDAINED IT WASN'T ALL HEAVEN THAT BROKE LOOSE.

(LAUGHTER) IT WAS TOUGH TIMES.

>> BONNIE: GENE ROBINSON WAS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY BISHOP IN THE U.S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

>> THE MARRIAGE RITES NEED TO BE PRINTED BY ORDER OF THIS CONVENTION IN THE BOOK OF OCCASIONAL SERVICES AND THEREFORE AVAILABLE TO ALL CLERGY.

>> BONNIE: JORDAN HYLDEN, A RECTOR FROM A SMALL SOUTH DALLAS CHURCH, WAS THE DISSENTING VOICE ON THE TASK FORCE.

FATHER HYLDEN WORRIES THAT THE PROCESS LEFT OUT MORE TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE CHURCHES INCLUDING LATIN AMERICAN PARISHES.

>> FATHER HYLDEN: I AM A THEOLOGICAL CONSERVATIVE MY UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE ON THIS MATTER IS THAT IN GENESIS GOD SAYS THAT HE HAS CREATED US MALE AND FEMALE IN HIS IMAGE WE ARE BLESSED IN ORDER TO BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY AND PASS ALONG THE GIFT OF LIFE FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

>> BISHOP CURRY: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BEING A COMMUNITY WHERE TRADITIONALIST FOLK, PROGRESSIVE FOLK, LEARN TO LIVE IN LOVE AND CHARITY WITH EACH OTHER AND THERE IS EQUALITY OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND SPIRITUAL ACCESS FOR ALL.

YOU CAN DO ONE THING ABOUT MARRIAGE, BUT THEN YOU'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE LIVE IT OUT AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS ARGUABLY BEEN ON THE LEADING EDGE OF FULL INCLUSION FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I MEAN WAY BACK IN 1976, WE PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT PROMISED FULL AND EQUAL CLAIM ON THE PASTORAL CARE CONCERN AND LOVE OF THE CHURCH FOR WHAT WE WERE THEN CALLING HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS.

SOME OF US SAY, WE'VE BEEN SPENDING 42 YEARS TRYING TO MAKE THAT RESOLUTION A REALITY.

WE HAVE WORD FROM OUR ECUMENICAL PARTNERS THAT MANY OF THEM ARE WATCHING US TO SEE HOW WE DO THIS, I MEAN CAN HOW CAN WE STAY TOGETHER?

HOW DO WE MODEL UNITY AND DIVERSITY?

AND WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WHAT WILL DO OUT OF THIS CONVENTION IS SEND A MESSAGE THAT IT'S POSSIBLE TO HOLD THOSE DIVERSE PIECES TOGETHER AND COME OUT ONE CHURCH.

>> BONNIE: WHAT WILL THAT MESSAGE BE?

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS LED BY TWO DELIBERATIVE BODIES - THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES AND HOUSE OF BISHOPS.

THEY'LL MAKE THE DECISION.

THE VOTE LATER, BUT FIRST WHAT ABOUT OTHER DENOMINATIONS THAT ARE WATCHING?

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WITH JUST SHY OF 7.2 MILLION MEMBERS HAS BEEN DEEPLY DIVIDED OVER LGBTQ INCLUSION AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: THE WESTERN JURISDICTION, IN JULY OF 2016, ON THE 17TH BALLOT, ELECTED ME.

WHAT MADE IT UNUSUAL WAS I AM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY BISHOP WITHIN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, AND THAT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF DISAGREEMENTS.

YET ALSO IT'S PROVIDED A LOT OF HEALING AND HOPE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THIS MOMENT.

BISHOP KAREN OLIVETO PRESIDES OVER 400 CHURCHES IN COLORADO AND OTHER ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: WE SUPPORT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF SAME GENDER COUPLES BUT WE WILL NOT MARRY THEM.

WE SEE MARRIAGE AS A RITE, R-I-T-E, BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN.

WE SUPPORT LGBTQ PEOPLE SERVING OPENLY IN THE MILITARY.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE A DON'T-ASK-DON'T-TELL POLICY WITHIN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

WE SUPPORT ALL FAMILIES, THE SHAPES, BUT WE STILL THINK THAT THE FAMILY UNIT SHOULD BE MOTHER, FATHER, AND CHILDREN.

AND SO THAT IT'S THIS TENSION WHERE THE CHURCH IS NOT OF ONE MIND.

>> BONNIE: BISHOP OLIVETO IS OPEN ABOUT OFFICIATING AT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES.

WHEN I FIRST INTERVIEWED HER IN 2015, SHE WAS THE SENIOR PASTOR AT GLIDE CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: I PERFORMED THE VERY FIRST SAME GENDER LEGAL WEDDING IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN 2004 DURING SAN FRANCISCO'S WINTER OF LOVE.

I GOT A CALL FROM MICHAEL.

AND MICHAEL SAID, 'KAREN.

YOU'RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS -- HE'S ONE OF MY PARISHIONERS -- THEY'RE MARRYING GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE IN CITY HALL IN SAN FRANCISCO.

SO WHEN I GOT TO CITY HALL IT WAS A GIANT LOVE FEST.

IF WE BELIEVE GOD IS LOVE, GOD WAS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER.

AND TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR MARRIAGE, THEIR LEGAL MARRIAGE WAS SO PROFOUND AND, I'VE DONE LOTS OF WEDDINGS OVER THE COURSE OF MY MINISTRY, IT'S ONLY IN GAY AND LESBIAN HOUSEHOLDS THAT I SEE MARRIAGE LICENSES FRAMED AND PUT ON THE WALL.

BECAUSE IT IS SEEN AS SUCH A PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS SYMBOL, AND A PRECIOUS CIVIL RIGHT THAT THEY ARE NOT TAKING LIGHTLY.

>> BONNIE: BISHOP OLIVETO IS MARRIED.

AFTER MANY YEARS OF COMMITMENT, IN 2014 SHE AND ROBIN RIDENOUR WED. >> BISHOP OLIVETO: ROBIN WAS QUITE SICK, AND WE REALIZED WE HAD NO LEGAL PROTECTION FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP.

AND SO WE WERE MARRIED IN -- IN A CEREMONY AND CIVIL, IN CITY HALL IN SAN FRANCISCO BUT THEN HAD A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY WITH A HUNDRED OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DAYS OF OUR LIFE TO BE ABLE TO SAY, THIS IS WHO I'M COMMITTING MYSELF TO, THIS IS THE PERSON WHO MAKES MY SOUL SING.

AND IT'S A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET.

>> BONNIE: SHE CITES SCRIPTURE WHEN NOTING THE IRONY IN THE CHURCH NOT SANCTIONING SAME-SEX MARRIAGES.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: ONE OF THE MOST USED PASSAGES ABOUT LOVE IN WEDDINGS, 'WHITHER THOU GOEST I SHALL GO.

YOUR PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.'

THAT WAS SAID BETWEEN TWO WOMEN, AND YET WE'VE RAISED THAT UP AND HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE, THIS IS A MODEL OF COVENANT OF COMMITTING ONE'S SELF.

AND YET WE DON'T SEE THE THE COGNITIVE DISSONANCE WE CREATE WHEN WE'RE USING THIS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO WOMEN TO TALK ABOUT THE COVENANT OF MARRIAGE, BUT THEN SAYING TO WOMEN, YOU CAN'T HAVE THIS RELATIONSHIP."

>> IN 2016 THEY DID THE WAY FORWARD.

A 32 PERSON BODY FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS, DIFFERENT THEOLOGICAL ORIENTATIONS, AND DIFFERENT SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS.

ITS MISSION IS TO EXAMINE THE METHODIST BOOK OF DISCIPLINE AND SUGGEST REVISIONS WHERE HUMAN SEXUALITY IS MENTIONED.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: WE'RE RECOMMENDING A ONE CHURCH MODEL WHICH REMOVES ALL THE ANTI LGBTQ LANGUAGE BUT ENABLES EACH REGION, EACH PASTOR, EACH CHURCH TO LIVE OUT THEIR CONSCIENCE IN RESPONSE TO MINISTRY TO LGBTQ PEOPLE IN RESPONSE TO CREATING STANDARDS FOR MINISTRY THAT MAY OR MAY NOT INCLUDE LGBTQ PEOPLE.

>> BONNIE: DELEGATES TO A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL OF CONVENTION IN 2019 WILL VOTE ON THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT COMPROMISE MAY NOT SATISFY EITHER SIDE.

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS MORE THAN FIVE MILLION MEMBERS.

IT GREW OUT OF A PROTEST AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AT WHITE METHODIST CONGREGATIONS IN THE LATE 1700'S.

IT'S THIS HISTORY THAT KEEPS REV.

JENNIFER LEATH, A GAY WOMAN, IN THE CHURCH DESPITE THE CHURCH'S CONDEMNATION OF SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS.

>> REV.

LEATH: THOSE LIKE ROSA PARKS WHO WAS AN AME SISTER THOSE LIKE THE YOUNG FOLKS WHO WERE PART OF THE BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION CASE.

I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVES THAT THERE'S SOMETHING VALUABLE ABOUT THE INSTITUTION AND ABOUT BUILDING IT UP BECAUSE WE NEED ONE ANOTHER AND WE NEED FORMS OF CONNECTION WITH ONE ANOTHER THAT MAKE COMMUNAL SOCIAL ACTION POSSIBLE AND SO I STICK WITH THE CHURCH I STICK WITH THE AME CHURCH BECAUSE IT HAS THIS LEGACY OF DOING JUSTICE.

>> THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AS WE HAVE BEEN READING SACRED SEX.

>> BONNIE: REVEREND LEATH TEACHES ABOUT THE INTERSECTION OF RELIGION, SEXUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AT THE ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN DENVER.

DR. LEATH IS ALSO THE PASTOR AT CAMPBELL CHAPEL AME CHURCH.

>> REV.

LEATH: THEY BELIEVE THAT IT IS CONTRARY TO THE WILL OF GOD AND ALSO HOLDS THOSE WHO ARE ORDAINED OR LICENSED TO PREACH WHO PARTICIPATE IN SAME-SEX UNIONS OR MARRIAGES ARE DOING SO IN A WAY THAT IS AGAINST THE LAW.

THE CHURCH AND AGAINST THE LAW OF GOD.

AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR SUCH PARTICIPATION INCLUDE TRIAL AND THE LOSS OF ONE'S ORDERS.

>> BONNIE: REV.

LEATH HAS BEEN APPROACHED BY A SAME-SEX COUPLE WHO WANTED TO GET MARRIED.

>> REV.

LEATH: THAT WAS A SCARY MOST A SCARY MOMENT TO HAVE THIS COUPLE COME AND ASK ABOUT GETTING MARRIED AND ABOUT WAY THAT I MIGHT BE A PART OF HONORING AND AFFIRMING THAT MARRIAGE.

IT IS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE LAW OF THE CHURCH AND THE CHURCH OF WHICH I'M A PART AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE LAW IS WRONG.

SO PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL CONCERNS MAY IT DIFFICULT.

>> SYMPATHY DISPUTES THE THEORY THAT AFFIRMING LGBTQ PEOPLE WOULD LOSE MEMBERS.

>> LEAVING THE CHURCH IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE PEOPLE LEAVE EITHER WAY.

I HAVE HAD MORE PEOPLE IN THIS PARTICULAR CHARGE COME TO ME WITH CONCERN BECAUSE OF MY AFFIRMATION.

THAN CONCERN THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN AFFIRMING ENOUGH.

IN MY PREVIOUS CHARGE IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

ON THE WHOLE MANY MAINLINE PROTESTANT ARE EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ATTENDANCE IN GENERAL.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS I FRY TO TALK TO PASTORS ABOUT IS NOT SCAPEGOATING LGBTQ PEOPLE AS THE REASON THEIR CHURCHES ARE EXPERIENCING ATTENDANCE SHRINKAGE.

>> BONNIE: LOSING MEMBERS AND CHURCHES HAS BEEN USED AS A REASON FOR NOT BECOMING AFFIRMING IN THE METHODIST AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

IT REMAINS A CONCERN FOR SOME BACK AT THE EPISCOPALIAN GENERAL CONVENTION AS BISHOPS AND DEPUTIES DEBATED MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

>> AND I BELIEVE IN THE WORD OF GOD JESUS DOES LOVE EVERYONE AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

SO AS LOVE EVERYONE THEN LET US ALL BE MARRIED.

>> TO FOSTER CONSENSUS IT MOVED AHEAD TO THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.

THE COMPROMISE ALLOWS PRIESTS TO CONDUCT SAME GENDER MARRIAGES EVEN IF THE LOCAL BISHOP DISAPPROVES.

HE WOULD INVITE ANOTHER BISHOP TO PROVIDE PASTORAL SUPPORT SO CONGREGATES COULD MARRY IN THEIR OWN CHURCHES.

>> FATHER HYLDEN: WE THINK THAT IT MAKES SPACE FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR CHURCH, AND I AT LEAST HOPE THAT THAT'S THE PATH THE GENERAL CONVENTION TAKES.

>> FATHER SINGLETON: THIS RESOLUTION IS THE RESULT OF A CAREFUL PROCESS OF BROAD CONSULTATION.

>> BISHOP LOVE: THIS IS ONE OF THOSE RARE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE I AM FINDING MYSELF IN DISAGREEMENT WITH MY FELLOW COMMUNION PARTNER BISHOPS, AND THERE ARE MANY IN THIS CHURCH WHO HAVE PROCLAIMED THAT IT IS AND THAT THIS IS A NEW THING THAT THIS HOLY SPIRIT IS REVEALING AND THAT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS BEING PROPHETIC IN, IN PUTTING THIS FORWARD.

I DON'T BELIEVE, PRESIDING BISHOP, THAT THAT'S NECESSARILY TRUE.

>> FRANKLIN: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF B012 BECAUSE IT MOVES US ANOTHER STEP AWAY FROM THE SITUATION AS SEPARATE, BUT EQUAL, TO WHICH WE HAVE OFTEN CONSIGNED OUR LGBTQ SISTERS AND BROTHERS.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: I AM DEEPLY AWARE THAT AS WE STAND HERE WE ARE BEING STREAMED FROM PLACES LIKE TENNESSEE AND DALLAS AND FLORIDA WHERE THE FAITHFUL IN THE PEWS ARE WAITING FOR US TO LET OUR YES BE YES TO SAY WE DO TO MARRIAGE FOR ALL.

>> PRESIDE SINGLE BISHOP: ARE YOU PREPARED TO VOTE?

SIGNIFY BUYS SAYING AYE.

>> LARGE CROWD: AYE.

>> PRESIDING BISHOP: THOSE OPPOSED, NO.

>> SELECT FEW: NO.

>> PRESIDING BISHOP: SO ORDERED.

>> THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES HAS VOTED TO CONCUR WITH THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS.

AS AMENDED.

>> BONNIE: IN THE END THE COMPROMISE RESOLUTION PASSED.

AT LEAST FOUR BISHOPS FROM THE ORIGINAL EIGHT DISAPPROVING DIOCESES APPROVED THE COMPROMISE.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: WE'VE GIVEN UP A LOT.

THERE IS REAL COMPROMISE IN HERE.

AND THERE IS PAIN FOR GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE, FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE, FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES THAT AT THIS POINT, MARRIAGE IN THE PRAYER-BOOK WILL STILL BE DEFINED AS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, A COMPROMISE THAT REACHES OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY DISENFRANCHISED FROM THE SACRAMENT IS WORTH THE COST OF WAITING A LITTLE LONGER TO GET THE LANGUAGE FIXED IN THE PRAYER BOOK.

>> BONNIE:.

REDS SOLUTION B 012 GOES INTO EFFECT DECEMBER THE SECOND.

FIRST DAY OF ADVENT.

>> REV.

RUSSELL: I THINK ANY CHANGE IS HARD, ANY TIME WHEN YOU'RE DISMANTLING OPPRESSIVE AND PATRIARCHAL SYSTEMS, IT TAKES TIME IT TAKES PERSEVERANCE.

I WOULD DRAW AN ANALOGY IN OUR EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN.

>> BONNIE: AND WHILE MAINLINE CHURCHES TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF LGBTQ RIGHTS, ADVOCATES ARE SINCERELY CONCERNED THAT A SUPREME COURT THAT IS MORE AND MORE CONSERVATIVE MAY STRIP AWAY THOSE RIGHTS.

>> BISHOP OLIVETO: THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR THE CHURCH TO SAY, THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO LIVE.

THERE'S A WAY TO LIVE SO THAT EACH PERSON'S DIGNITY IS PROTECTED.

THERE'S A WAY TO LIVE SO THAT LOVE IS THE GREATEST THING WE CAN OFFER ONE ANOTHER.

THERE'S A WAY TO LIVE THAT SAYS THAT EACH PERSON IS SO VITAL HERE THAT THEIR SUFFERING IS GOING TO MOVE US TO ACTS OF JUSTICE AND COMPASSION.