11 Jul '15 20:40>1 edit
Originally posted by Rank outsiderActually, my church, the Episcopalian Church of America, has accepted gays into their services for years, and have become the first of the mainstream churches to actually perform same-sex marriages.
In this case, struggling to reconcile your desire for greater tolerance for the gay community with the knowledge that it was, and still is, your religion that is one of biggest obstacles to this happening,
From Wikipedia:
"At its 2006 General Convention the Episcopal Church rejected a resolution allowing the solemnization of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is recognized by civil law.
In July 2009, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America adopted a resolution allowing individual bishops to choose whether or not to allow the blessing of same-sex unions within their bishoprics. The resolution was seen as a compromise between those who call for an official rite for the blessing of same-sex unions, and those who oppose any recognition of such unions. However, the resolution also left the door open for the creation of such an official rite in the future, calling on bishops to "collect and develop theological and liturgical resources" for possible use for such a purpose at the 2012 General Convention.
On July 9, 2012, the Episcopal Church passed a resolution approving an official liturgy for blessing same-sex unions. This liturgy, called “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” offers a blessing close to marriage, but the church is clear that it is not marriage. According to Rev. Ruth Meyers, chairwoman of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, “There are a lot of similarities. The couple give their consent to being joined in lifelong commitment, they exchange vows. There’s the possibility of exchanging rings, or, for couples who have been together for some time and already have rings, to have their rings blessed. There is a blessing over the couple. But we’re clear at this point that this is not a marriage because the Episcopal Church is not in agreement in its understanding of marriage.” The resolution enables priests to bestow the church’s blessing on gay couples even if they live in a state where same-sex marriage is illegal; however, bishops who do not approve of the liturgy can prohibit their priests from using it. The resolution is provisional and will be reviewed in three years.
As of September 1, 2012, clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of New York have been authorized to officiate at same sex weddings.
On July 1, 2015, the Episcopal Church makes the full marriage rite available to same-sex couples throughout the denomination." (Bold mine.)
----------------------------------------------------------
As I said previously, given the long-standing position of Christianity concerning homosexuality, this is a "sea change" coming only after years of wrangling back and forth. Things could be moving a bit more quickly, but at least things are changing. And my church has long been in the forefront of this change and changes like it.