Lutheranism
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) experienced a slow and steady transformation in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Scholar of queer religious history R.W. Holmen refers to the activist movement within Lutheranism as being "subtle" (231), but revolutionary nonetheless. ALC Pastor Jim Siefkes was a leader of the movement toward affirmation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals. He demonstrated true allyship to the LGBT+ community, first by developing a ministry program called Matrix which tackled the subject of human sexuality, alongside other potentially controversial topics, forthrightly and openly.
In June of 1970, Siefkes helped organize an experimental seminar discussing human sexuality in a theological context. The University of Minnesota medical school was enthusiastic about the programming Siefkes had designed, and began running a similar program under its own institutional auspices. As Siefkes became more heavily involved in the university's programming, he also aided in the formation of a Committee on Religion and Ethics at the university's medical school, reinforcing his original goal of tying sexuality and religion together in a meaningful fashion. Many people affiliated with religous communities at the university were appalled by the programming's sexually explicit materials and objected vehemently to church finances backing programming they considered lewd and inappropriate. However, many others found the programming illuminating, and were willing to enter into an open conversation about homosexuality and faith.
The foremost organization pushing for LGBT+ inclusion within the Lutheran Church, called Lutherans Concerned for Gay People, was formed on June 16, 1974, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lutherans Concerned for Gay People's first newsletter was released a mere month after the group's formation. The organization's viewpoint was neatly encapsulated within this very first issue, as the authors wrote,
As gay Lutherans, we affirm with joy the goodness of human sexuality which God has given us. We are to be found in the pulpits and pews, the schools and offices of Lutheran churches and organizations throughout the land. We have received the sacraments, listened to the preaching of God's word, taught in the schools, and worked in the committees and organizations of Lutheran churches.
The organization faced almost instant backlash in 1975, as indignation over the success of Pastor Siefkes' request for financing for Lutherans Concerned for Gay People spread among a conservative element within the Lutheran church. The headline "Dollars for Disobedience" was disseminated within the church, condemning the use of the church's funds for LGBT+ advocates.
Pastor Chuck Lewis was responsible for forming a particularly active chapter of Lutherans Concerned in San Francisco, California (the organization's name evolved to Lutherans Concerned, and then Lutherans Concerned/North America, frequently abbreviated to LC/NA).
In 1980, the LCA and ALC both released statements dealing with human sexuality. Both statements condemned homosexuality as contrary to God's plan. The church still had a long way to go towards full inclusion.
However, in 1987, it was reported in the Los Angeles Times that three out gay Lutheran seminarians were certified for call and ordination. These seminarians were Joel Workin, James Lancaster, and Jeff Johnson. Yet, the case was not at all open and shut, as the Times seemed to imply. The candidates for ministry were asked if they would vow to remain celibate for the rest of their lives. Jeff Johnson answered that, while he was currently celibate, he couldn't promise that he wouldn't fall in love with a man one day. His fellow ordinands answered similarly. As R.W. Holmen wrote, "The courage of the candidates stood in stark contrast to the timidity of the church. The integrity of the candidates embarrassed the church that reneged on its agreement" (253). Sadly, these three men were denied ordination.
The church has since made tremendous strides, as Dr. Guy Barron, a Native American and gay man, was elected as a bishop within the Lutheran church in 2013.
