Trials

An article detailing the trial of Rose Mary Denman.

Consequences for Coming Out

While homosexuality was a subject of debate within The United Methodist Church during the 1970s, its policies on homosexuality significantly hardened during the 1980s. Ministers like Rose Mary Denman were put on trial within The United Methodist Church for openly affirming their identities. After a trial, The United Methodist Church could remove clergy from congregations, suspend clergy, or even revoke ministerial credentials. Such actions took a significant toll on clergy, their families, and their congregations. Some clergy, like Denman, chose to leave The United Methodist Church rather than fight its policies from within and risk further pain and humiliation.

A passage from Rose Mary Denman's biography discussing her church trial.

Difficult Decisions

The trials created an atmosphere of anxiety for LGBTQIA+ Methodists. Decisions like coming out in The United Methodist Church, putting one’s name on a newsletter or petition, or openly questioning the Church’s policies were made all the more challenging. There was not uniform agreement on how LGBTQIA+ Methodists should proceed, even in groups like Affirmation. While The United Methodist Church debated policies and procedures, LGBTQIA+ Methodists debated how to navigate life in The United Methodist Church.

An article detailing the trial of Jimmy Creech.

Allies

One of the most well-known trials was that of Rev. Jimmy Creech, a United Methodist pastor who presided over same-sex unions in defiance of The United Methodist Church’s policies. Creech’s trial was heavily covered in Affirmation’s Newsletters. Creech was not part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but strongly defended the community and allied himself with them by blessing and presiding over same-sex unions. Creech and ministers like him created a significant challenge for The United Methodist Church through their defiance of the denomination’s policies. The trials drew attention from the mainstream media, causing public relations backlash for the denomination.

The cover of Jimmy Creech's memoir, Adam's Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor's Calling to Defy the Church's Persecution of Lesbians and Gays.

Verdicts

Jimmy Creech was defrocked by The United Methodist Church due to his participation in same-sex unions. The loss of ministerial credentials meant that Creech’s ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church was over. Yet, Creech and other ministers who were punished for their defiance of The United Methodist Church’s policies did not stop fulfilling their callings. Creech continued advocacy on behalf of LGBTQIA+ people and wrote a memoir about his experiences in The United Methodist Church. His memoir emphasized the role of faithful LGBTQIA+ people in shaping his views and actions. To Creech, the LGBTQIA+ community were not issues – they were people.

An article detailing the sentencing of Beth Stroud.

Graceless Ends

As more trials proceeded, observers began to note the punitive spirit behind them. The defrocking of ministers like Beth Stroud, whose tenure had been exemplary and whose congregation supported her unequivocally, was devastating. Defrocking made transferring to minister in another denomination more difficult. For some who had been lifelong United Methodists, transferring was never an option, but how does one remain in a denomination that put them on trial?

A letter from Beth Stroud to her supporters.

Watching and Waiting

Stroud’s trial ended with her defrocking, but an appeal returned her credentials to her. A few months later, however, Stroud was defrocked again by the Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s highest judicial body. Such actions were disorienting for clergy and congregations. Affirmation, in supporting ministers and churches through these trials, publicized the events and gave a voice to those enduring them.

An article detailing the dysfunction at the trial of David Meredith.

Mounting Attacks

As parts of The United Methodist Church gradually became more inclusive, accusations and trials became more complex. David Meredith, an openly gay and married pastor in Ohio, endured several charges and trials due to charges against him personally and as a minister. The charges and trials were disorienting for Meredith and his supporters, including Affirmation. Affirmation highlighted the tactics used to limit, supress, and silence support for Meredith.  

An article explaining the Judicial Council's ruling concerning the consecration of Bishop Karen Oliveto.

Steady Progress and Sustained Resistance

The continuous work of Affirmation and others in The United Methodist Church contributed to historic progress toward full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Methodists. With progress, however, came pushback. The consecration of Karen Oliveto as a Bishop in The United Methodist Church was challenged by some who argued the consecration of a Bishop in a same-sex marriage violated Church law. 

After years of trials, the General Conference held in May 2024 removed the ban on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" and opened the door for full inclusion within The United Methodist Church. For those who endured trials or defrocking, the announcement was bittersweet. Inclusion did not undo the trauma of discrimination for which they had mourned for decades.