On May 3, The United Methodist Church removed a decades-long condemnation of homosexuality from the denomination's Social Principles. At the church's 2024 General Conference, delegates voted to eliminate the church's 52-year assertion that “the practice of homosexuality ... is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
In the same vote, delegates affirmed “marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community.”
Earlier in the conference, delegates voted to remove the denomination’s ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that dates to 1984. Additionally, United Methodist pastors no longer face potential penalties for being in a same-sex relationship or officiating at same-sex weddings, nor can they be compelled to officiate one.
A summary of United Methodist Church changes from the conference can be found here.
