Total Number of Pages: 2

Suggested Title: Rights of All Persons

New Resolution

General Church Budget Implications: None

Global Implications: Yes

The Constitution of The United Methodist Church declares that all persons are of sacred worth and the Social  Principles have long affirmed the human and civil rights of all people regardless of age, gender, marital status,  or sexual orientation. 

Throughout the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons face persecution, threats of violence, and  denial of the basic rights to housing, employment and health care. Too often faith communities, including The  United Methodist Church, have perpetuated rather than challenged this injustice. 

As a church that affirms all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and strives to follow the way of  Christ in seeking justice for all, The United Methodist Church commits to: 

BULLET listening to the voices of LGBTQ persons in our churches and communities; BULLET advocating for policies that uphold the human and civil rights of LGBTQ persons; BULLET advocating for the decriminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity; BULLET speaking out against words and actions that harm and diminish the dignity of LGBTQ persons; 

BULLET educating our faith communities about the complex history of Methodist involvement in struggles to  secure civil and human rights. 

Date: August 26, 2019

The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe General Secretary

Bishop Sally Dyck

President of the Board

General Board of Church & Society Phone: 202-488-5629

E-mail Address: gso@umcjustice.org