Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

Above, Duke University is among UMC affiliated schools calling for more inclusivity of people identifying as LGBTQ+.

April 2019 – University presidents at 93 colleges and universities affiliated with the United Methodist Church have called church leaders to be more inclusive of gay and transgender persons.

A joint statement from the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the UMC represents well-known member institutions including Duke University, Southern Methodist University, and Virginia Wesleyan University. This is the fourth time since 2006 that NASCUMC has made such an appeal.

The appeal preceded a February 23-26 special UMC General Conference specifically called to discuss church policy in relation to human sexuality, according to UMC’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The joint statement encourages UMC leaders to “[amend] their policies and practices to affirm full inclusion in the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church of all persons regardless of their race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation.”

gbhem.org, 1/8/19; justiceanddignity.org, 1/8/19; campusreform.org, 1/30/19; elitedaily.com, 6/8/17; washingtonpost.com, 1/16/19