View source for LGBT bishops

{{Short description|Review of the topic}}
{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Christianity and sexual orientation}}
This article largely discusses presence of [[coming out|openly]] lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and queer [[bishops]] in churches governed under [[episcopal polity|episcopal polities]]. The existence of '''LGBTQ bishops''' in the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Anglican]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]] and other traditions is a matter of historical record, though never, until recently, were LGBTQ clergy and Bishops ordained by any of the main Christian denominations.<ref name="Boswell1">{{cite book|last=Boswell|first=John|title=Christianity, social tolerance, and homosexuality gay people in Western Europe from the beginning of the Christian era to the fourteenth century|year=1981|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago|isbn=978-0226067117|page=[https://archive.org/details/christianitysoci00john/page/211 211]|edition=Paperback|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/christianitysoci00john}}</ref>  Homosexual activity was engaged in secretly. When it was made public, official response ranged from suspension of [[sacrament]]al duties to laicization.<ref name="Boswell2">{{cite book|last=Boswell|first=John|title=Christianity, social tolerance, and homosexuality gay people in Western Europe from the beginning of the Christian era to the fourteenth century|year=1981|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago|isbn=978-0226067117|pages=[https://archive.org/details/christianitysoci00john/page/214 214]–15|edition=Paperback|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/christianitysoci00john}}</ref>

The higher prominence given today to the presence of LGBTQ clergy, including bishops, in the life of the church reflects broader issues, both socially and [[ecclesiology|ecclesiologically]] (see [[List of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality]]), concerning issues of [[social tolerance]] and the relationship between [[social change]] and doctrinal development. The issue has attracted greater attention in recent years following the development of the [[gay rights]] movement, and the increasing discussion within some Christian churches over the inclusion of gay clergy in senior positions.

==Historical context==

{{Further|Ordination of LGBT Christian clergy}}

It was customary in the past for individuals&nbsp;– whether clergy or not&nbsp;– to remain secretive (in [[the closet]]) about their [[sexual orientation]] and activity. This was mainly because there was generally low tolerance for homosexuality across society, and those caught faced severe criminal sanctions (often including death). Nor is it straightforward to identify individuals before the 19th century as homosexual or "gay" in the modern sense of the world.

Nevertheless, as far back as the sixth century (CE) the Greek chronicler [[John Malalas]] wrote about Isaiah, [[Bishop of Rhodes]] and Alexander, Bishop of [[Diospolis in Thracia]] who had been punished by the Prefect of Thrace (Victor) for "homosexual practices". Isaiah was tortured severely and exiled, while Alexander had his genitals amputated and was subsequently paraded around the city on a litter. As a result the Emperor [[Justinian]] decreed that all caught for pederasty should have their genitals amputated. Many [[homosexual men]] were arrested in the wake of this, and died from their injuries. An atmosphere of fear followed.<ref>The Chronicle of John Malalas, 18:18</ref>

In the eleventh century, Ralph, [[Archbishop of Tours]] in France had his lover Jean installed as [[Jean, Bishop of Orleans|Bishop of Orléans]] in France. Neither [[Pope Urban II]], nor his successor [[Paschal II]] took action to depose either man from the episcopacy.<ref>Boswell, 214–215</ref>

[[Baldric of Dol]] ({{circa|1050}}&nbsp;– 1130), abbot of Bourgueil and subsequently Bishop of [[Ancient Diocese of Dol|Dol-en-Bretagne]] in France, wrote passionate letters to a man simply called "Walter": "If you wish to take up lodging with me, I will divide my heart and breast with you. I will share with you anything of mine that can be divided; If you command it, I will share my very soul."

Several of the poems of [[Marbodius of Rennes]] (died 1123), Bishop of Rennes in France, speak of handsome boys and [[homosexual]] desires although stop short of consummating physical relationships (''An Argument Against Copulation Between People of Only One Sex''). Poems, such as the one where he sent an urgent demand that his beloved return if he wished the speaker to remain faithful to him, have been interpreted to indicate that more than poetic invention was involved.<ref>[[John Boswell]], ''Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality'', Chicago, 1980</ref>

After the [[reformation]] in the Roman Catholic Church, public scandal touched upon the fondness of Cardinal [[Scipione Borghese]] ([[Archbishop of Bologna]]) for Cardinal [[Stefano Pignatelli]] (his likely lover). 
In the 16th century in Italy, [[Pope Julius III]] (Bishop of Rome) was rumoured to have a romantic relationship with a teenage boy named Innocenzo.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tharoor|first1=Ishaan|title=Notorious Cardinals: A Rogue's Gallery of Powerful Prelates|url=http://world.time.com/2013/03/13/notorious-cardinals-a-rogues-gallery-of-powerful-prelates/slide/innocenzo-ciocchi-del-monte/|access-date=20 May 2016|agency=Time Magazine|issue=THE VATICAN|publisher=Time Warner|date=12 March 2013}}</ref> In the 18th century notable examples of emotional and perhaps romantic relationships among bishops include Cardinal [[Henry Benedict Stuart]] and Giovanni Lercari (the [[Archbishop of Genoa]]).

[[File:William Laud.jpg|thumb|upright|William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury (died 1645)]]
In the Anglican Communion, [[John Whitgift]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] in England (1583–1604), formed a close relationship with [[Andrew Perne]] while at university in Cambridge. Perne went on to live with Whitgift in his old age. Puritan satirists would later mock Whitgift as "Perne's boy" who was willing to carry his cloak-bag – thus suggesting that the two had enjoyed a [[homosexual]] relationship.<ref>Patrick Collinson, ''Richard Bancroft and Elizabethan Anti-Puritanism'', University of Cambridge, 2013</ref> [[William Laud]] (died 1645), also Archbishop of Canterbury, managed [[homosexual]] leanings discreetly, but confided his erotic dreams about the Duke of Buckingham and others to a private diary.<ref>{{cite book |author=Diarmaid MacCulloch |author-link=Diarmaid MacCulloch |title=Reformation|year=2004|publisher=Penguin Books|page=517|isbn=0-140-28534-2}}</ref> In the 19th century Cardinal [[John Henry Newman]] remained close to [[Ambrose St. John]] and was attacked by contemporaries for his "lack of masculinity". The two were buried in the same grave.

[[John Atherton]] (1598–1640) served from 1634 as [[Bishop of Waterford and Lismore]] in the [[Church of Ireland]]. In 1640 Atherton was accused of [[buggery]] with a man, John Childe, his steward and [[tithe]] [[proctor]]. They were tried under a law that Atherton himself had helped to institute. They were both condemned to death, and Atherton was executed in [[Stephen's Green]], [[Dublin]]. Reportedly, he confessed to the crime immediately before his execution, although he had proclaimed his innocence before that.<ref>Bray, Alan (1982). ''Homosexuality in Renaissance England''. London: Gay Men's Press</ref>

==Modern day==

===Anglican Communion===
====US Episcopal Church====
[[File:GeneRobinson.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Gene Robinson]], former Bishop of New Hampshire]]
It is in contemporary Anglicanism that the issue of homosexuality and its relationship to people in the episcopate has been confronted openly. Indeed, the first large mainstream church to ever consecrate an openly gay bishop who was not celibate has been the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], a member of the [[Anglican Communion]], who [[consecration|consecrated]] [[Gene Robinson]] [[diocese|diocesan]] bishop of the [[Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire|Diocese of New Hampshire]] in 2003.<ref name="bates1">''The Guardian'', "The Guardian profile: Gene Robinson", Stephen Bates, 31 October 2003. Retrieved on 1 September 2006.</ref>

Robinson was elected bishop coadjutor in 2003 and succeeded as diocesan bishop in March 2004. Before becoming bishop, he served as Canon to the Ordinary to the VIII Bishop of New Hampshire. His [[sexual orientation]] was privately acknowledged in the 1970s, when he studied in seminary, was ordained, married, and started a family. He went public with his [[sexual identity]] and divorced in 1986.<ref>{{cite news
| url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/09/09/gay-bishop-gene-robinson-20-years-ago-coming-out-was-almost-like-committing-suicide/
| title=Gay bishop Gene Robinson: '20 years ago, coming out was almost like committing suicide'
| date=9 September 2009
| newspaper=Pink News
| access-date=21 June 2016}}</ref> He entered a formal relationship with his second partner, Mark Andrew, in 1988. When delegates to the Episcopal convention were voting on the ratification of his election, it became an issue of controversy. His election was ratified 62 to 45. After his election, many theologically conservative Episcopalians in the United States abandoned the Episcopal Church, formed the [[Anglican Church in North America]] (ACNA) and aligned themselves with bishops outside the Episcopal Church in the United States, a process called the [[Anglican realignment]].

There have been documented cases of other openly gay Anglican bishops, however.  The first bishop to come out as [[gay]] was the US Episcopal bishop [[Otis Charles]], who did so soon after his retirement in 1993. He subsequently divorced from his wife.<ref>LGBT Religious Archives Network, [http://www.lgbtran.org/Profile.asp?A=C&ID=129 Profiles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206223340/http://lgbtran.org/Profile.asp?A=C&ID=129 |date=6 February 2006}}.  Retrieved on 12 September 2006.</ref> He had been a bishop in [[Utah]] from 1971 to 1993, and after coming out became vocal in his support for LGBT rights while remaining a member of the Episcopal House of Bishops. In 1999 he was arrested and escorted away in handcuffs after a protest at the Episcopal church national convention against the church's historical treatment of gay people. He went on to legally marry his partner, Felipe Sanchez-Paris in 2008.<ref>Gay Star News, 1 January 2014</ref>
 
[[Mary Glasspool]], who is openly gay and lives with her partner of 20 years, was elected as a suffragan bishop in the [[Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles]] in December 2009 and was consecrated on 15 May 2010.<ref>[http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_122244_ENG_HTM.htm Episcopal Life Online]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} item, 15 May 2010</ref> Her election has attracted worldwide attention, including an expression of concern from the Archbishop of Canterbury, [[Rowan Williams]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/search-results|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611150741/http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2650?q=glasspool|url-status=dead|title=Search results|archivedate=11 June 2011|website=The Archbishop of Canterbury|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref> In response to expressions of concern that her election would be viewed as a threat to the cohesion of the Anglican Communion, Glasspool said, "I've committed my life as a life of service to the people of Jesus Christ, and what hurts is the sense that anybody might have that my name or my servanthood could be perceived as divisive."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/09/us-lesbian-bishop-elect-hurt-by-claims-she-is-divisive/|title=US lesbian bishop-elect ‘hurt’ by claims she is divisive|date=9 December 2009|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref> In 2015, Glasspool accepted the invitation to serve the [[Episcopal Diocese of New York]],<ref>Episcopal Diocese of New York: [http://www.dioceseny.org/news_items/306-bp-mary-glasspool-to-come-to-ny-as-assistant-bishop "Bp Mary Glasspool to Come to NY as Assistant Bishop"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060908/http://www.dioceseny.org/news_items/306-bp-mary-glasspool-to-come-to-ny-as-assistant-bishop |date=2016-03-04 }}, 14 November 2015, accessed 23 February 2016.</ref> where she has been serving as an assistant bishop since 2016.

Bishop [[Tom Shaw (bishop)|Thomas Shaw]] of Massachusetts, a celibate monk who previously served as superior of the [[Society of St. John the Evangelist]], discussed his experiences as a gay monk, priest, and bishop in the 2012 documentary ''Love Free or Die'', about Robinson's election. A longtime supporter of the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church, he had avoided broaching the subject of his own sexuality because as a monk "he did not want to send the message that, as some conservatives argue, gay people should be celibate."<ref>{{cite web|last=Wangsness|first=Lisa|title=Episcopal bishop sought to end conflict, build bridges|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/01/21/bishop-thomas-shaw-sought-find-voice-public-square/c46lHFf9NZRWGcRvnyQpvO/story.html|work=[[Boston Globe]]|access-date=2 January 2014}}</ref> Bp Shaw died of cancer in 2014, one month after his successor was consecrated.

Bishop [[Thomas J. Brown (bishop)|Thomas James Brown]] was consecrated the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine on 22 June 2019.<ref>Portland Press Herald [https://www.pressherald.com/2019/06/22/new-episcopalian-bishop-ordained-at-service-in-portland/] Retrieved on 1 July 2019</ref> He is married to Thomas Mousin, who is also an ordained priest in the church.

Bishop [[Bonnie Perry|Bonnie A. Perry]] was elected to be the 11th Episcopal Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan and ordained on 8 February 2020 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Mich. Perry will become the first woman bishop as well as the first lesbian bishop in the diocese since it was formed in 1836.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spelbring|first=Meredith|title=First female and openly lesbian bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan ordained|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>  She is married to her partner, Susan Harlow, who is an ordained [[United Church of Christ]] pastor.

Bishop [[Deon K. Johnson]] was elected on 23 November 2019. His ordination will take place on Saturday, 25 April, at St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis.<ref>{{Citation | url   = https://barbadostoday.bb/2019/11/23/gay-married-barbadian-priest-elected-bishop-of-missoiuri| title = Gay, married Barbadian priest elected Bishop of Missouri  | publisher  = Barbados Today| access-date = 10 February 2020}}</ref> He is married to Jhovanny Osorio-Vázquez Johnson.

====Church of England====

In 1993 [[Peter Ball (bishop)|Peter Ball]] resigned from his position as [[Bishop of Gloucester]] after admitting to an act of gross indecency with a 19-year-old man.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/bishop-quits-after-police-caution-for-indecency-1496511.html|title=Bishop quits after police caution for indecency - UK - News - The Independent|last=Brown|first=Andrew|date=1993-03-09|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=28 May 2012|location=London|archive-date=27 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827010339/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/bishop-quits-after-police-caution-for-indecency-1496511.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1994 the gay rights campaign group [[OutRage!]], led by [[Peter Tatchell]], began to concentrate on religious [[homophobia]]. It was revealed in the press that the new [[Bishop of Durham]], [[Michael Turnbull (bishop)|Michael Turnbull]], had a conviction for a gay sex offence and OutRage! disrupted his ordination ceremony. There were other bishops known or suspected to be gay in private and OutRage! held a demonstration outside Church House in London naming ten bishops and urging them to "Tell the truth!" Although the ten bishops were not named in the British press, their names were published in an Australian gay newspaper, the ''Melbourne Star Observer'', and has since been published on the internet. They included [[Timothy Bavin]] (Bishop of Portsmouth), [[Michael Fisher (Anglican bishop)|Brother Michael (Fisher)]] (assistant bishop, Ely), [[John Klyberg]] (Bishop suffragan of Fulham), [[Michael Marshall (bishop)|Michael Marshall]] (assistant bishop, London), [[Brian Masters (bishop)|Brian Masters]] (area Bishop of Edmonton), [[John Neale (bishop)|John Neill]] (assistant bishop, Bath & Wells), [[Jack Nicholls]] (Bishop suffragan of Lancaster), [[Mervyn Stockwood]] (assistant bishop, Bath & Wells) and [[Michael Turnbull (bishop)|Michael Turnbull]] (Bishop of Durham).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.petertatchell.net/religion/archbishopyork.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112237/http://www.petertatchell.net/religion/archbishopyork.htm |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>''Melbourne Star Observer'', 6 January 1995</ref> However, OutRage produced no evidence for any of its claims.

At the same time, Tatchell began a dialogue with the Bishop of London, [[David Hope, Baron Hope of Thornes|David Hope]], who had not been named as the group thought that he could be persuaded to come out voluntarily.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=New York Times | date=19 March 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/19/world/gay-issue-roils-church-of-england.html?src=pm | title=Gay Issue Roils Church of England | first=John | last=Darnton | page=10 | access-date=16 May 2020 }}</ref> Press stories speculating about the personal sexuality of bishops led Hope to fear the worst and he called a press conference in February 1995 at which he denounced OutRage! for putting him under pressure. While admitting that his sexuality was "a grey area", he had "sought to lead a celibate life" and was "perfectly happy and content".<ref>''Herald Scotland'', 1995: http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/promotion-to-york-for-the-grey-area-bishop-1.685694</ref>

[[Mervyn Stockwood]], who was gay, was bishop of the [[Anglican Diocese of Southwark]], but also celibate. He even gently rebuked a parish priest for initiating the [[blessing of same-sex unions]] in the late 1970s.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Appointed as the suffragan Bishop of Edmonton (London) in 1999, [[Peter Wheatley]] is gay and has been living with his partner saying that he is "a celibate Christian living by Christian teachings".<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1144794.ece ''The Times'', 23 June 2003], article by [[Ruth Gledhill]]</ref>  This does not appear to have generated any significant controversy.  Bishop Wheatley is opposed to the ordination of women to the episcopate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/article_413.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616210443/http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/article_413.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Forward In Faith UK, Open Letter to the Archbishops, 30 June 2008|archivedate=16 June 2011|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref>

In 2003, [[Jeffrey John]], at the time Canon Chancellor and Theologian of Southwark Cathedral, was chosen to be the [[Bishop of Reading]] (a suffragan of the [[Bishop of Oxford]]).<ref name="bates1" />  John has been in a relationship with another male priest for many years, though he also says that their relationship is celibate.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/19/church-england-allow-gay-bishops | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Riazat | last=Butt | title=Anglicanism - Church of England (News), World news, Religion (News), Christianity (News), Gay rights (News), Rowan Williams, UK news, Equality Act 2010, Law, Sexuality (Society) | date=19 June 2011}}</ref> As a result of the ensuing controversy, however, John withdrew his acceptance of the appointment. He was subsequently appointed Dean of [[St Albans Cathedral|St Albans]]. John again emerged in the debate over gay bishops in July 2010 following widespread media reports that he was the Crown Nomination Commission's preferred candidate for appointment by the Queen as [[Bishop of Southwark (Anglican)|Bishop of Southwark]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100707060325/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7870158/Gay-cleric-in-line-to-become-bishop-in-Church-of-England.html Telegraph] Item, ''Gay cleric in line to become bishop in Church of England'', 3 July 2010</ref> though subsequent reports suggested that this was not the case or that his name had been rejected following leaking of the proposal.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100710040650/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7877839/Gay-cleric-blocked-from-becoming-Church-of-England-bishop.html Telegraph] item, ''Gay cleric blocked from becoming Church of England bishop'' 7 July 2010</ref>

{{wikinews|Church of England to allow celibate gay bishops}}
In 2013, it was announced that the Church of England's House of Bishops had approved plans to allow gay men to become appointed as bishops if they were celibate, including those such as Jeffrey John who are in civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20914799|title=CofE drops opposition to gay bishops in civil partnerships|publisher=BBC News Online|date=4 January 2013|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>

In 2016, Bishop [[Nicholas Chamberlain]], the bishop of Grantham in the diocese of Lincoln, announced he was gay and in a same-sex partnership becoming the first bishop to do so in the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/02/nicholas-chamberlain-bishop-of-grantham-c-of-e-gay-relationship|title=Bishop of Grantham first C of E bishop to declare he is in gay relationship|last=correspondent|first=Harriet Sherwood Religion|date=2016-09-02|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref>

====Anglican Church of Southern Africa====

Bishop Merwyn Castle was consecrated Bishop of False Bay (a suffragan of the diocese of [[Cape Town]]) in 1994, but because most Anglicans outside South Africa were unaware of his homosexuality, and because he was celibate, no comparable controversy took place. The [[Anglican Church of Southern Africa]] has no official position on homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucc.org/global-trend-worlds-oldest|title=Global trend: World's oldest Protestant churches now ordain gays and lesbians|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>

==== Scottish Episcopal Church ====
In 1995, Bishop [[Derek Rawcliffe]], retired [[Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway]] in the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]], disclosed his homosexuality.<ref>Helen Gibson, ''Time'', 29 June 2003. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110120213419/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,461793,00.html A House Divided]. Retrieved 6 August 2009.</ref> Like Terry Brown (see below), Rawcliffe had also served as a bishop in Melanesia.

==== Church of Melanesia ====
Bishop [[Terry Brown (bishop)|Terry Brown]], of [[Malaita]] in the [[Solomon Islands]], attended the 1998 Lambeth Conference (which declared same-sex relationships "incompatible with Scripture") as an openly gay man (he also attended the 2008 Lambeth Conference).<ref>Nicholas Knisely, Episcopal Café, 2007-09-07, [http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/bishops/another_gay_bishop_1.html Another Gay bishop] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227235842/http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/bishops/another_gay_bishop_1.html |date=2008-02-27 }}. Retrieved 2009-08-06.</ref>

==== Anglican Church of Canada ====
[[Barry Hollowell]], who resigned as [[Anglican Diocese of Calgary|Bishop of Calgary]] in the [[Anglican Church of Canada]] in 2005, came out publicly in 2008 after the death of his wife, who had been aware of his sexual orientation at the time of his election to the episcopate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hollowell |first=Barry |title=The Experience of Spirituality in the Lives of Anglican Gay Men |url=http://theses.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/11023/126/2/ucalgary_2012_hollowell_barry.pdf |publisher=University of Calgary |access-date=1 October 2013 |page=7 |format=PhD dissertation |year=2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215233/http://theses.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/11023/126/2/ucalgary_2012_hollowell_barry.pdf |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref> In 2016, the [[Anglican Diocese of Toronto|Diocese of Toronto]] elected as a suffragan bishop, an openly gay and partnered priest, [[Kevin Robertson (bishop)|Kevin Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.toronto.anglican.ca/2016/09/17/diocese-elects-three-new-suffragan-bishops/|title=Diocese elects three new suffragan bishops|website=The Diocese of Toronto|access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref> He was consecrated on 7 January 2017 as Bishop of York-Scarborough.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

===Roman Catholic Church===
{{Further|Homosexuality and Roman Catholic priests}}

Bishop [[Thomas Gumbleton]], a retired Catholic bishop in the Diocese of Detroit, has consistently been a supporter of [[New Ways Ministry]] and has also called for [[homosexual]] priests and bishops to "come out" and be truthful to themselves and others.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} Gumbleton has acted as a keynote speaker at [[Call to Action]] conferences. In 1995 he wore a [[mitre]] at a church service on which were symbols of the cross, a rainbow and a pink triangle in solidarity with the gay community.<ref>New Ways Ministry. [http://mysite.verizon.net/~vze43yrc/awards.html#gumbleton 1995 Building Bridges Award Recipient] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204223055/http://mysite.verizon.net/~vze43yrc/awards.html#gumbleton |date=2008-02-04 }} 1995</ref> Later, he came into the public eye before the Vatican's ''[[Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders|Instruction with regard to the ordination of homosexual men]]'' was released, arguing against Andrew R. Baker's article on the issue in ''[[America (magazine)|America]]''.<ref>America. [http://www.americamagazine.org/gettext.cfm?textID=2508&articleTypeID=1&issueID=403 Yes, Gay Men Should Be Ordained] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403124916/http://www.americamagazine.org/gettext.cfm?articleTypeID=1&textID=2508&issueID=403 |date=2007-04-03 }} 30 September 2002</ref>

[[File:Cardinal Francis Spellman.jpg|thumb|180px|Cardinal Francis Spellman]]
[[Francis Spellman]], Cardinal [[Archbishop of New York]], was long rumored to have been gay, according to a book by John Cooney, who said that many whom he interviewed took his [[homosexuality]] for granted.<ref>John Cooney, ''The American Pope: The Life and Times of Francis Cardinal Spellman'', New York, 1984,</ref> In addition, a book published in 1998 claims that during the [[Second World War]], Spellman was carrying on a relationship with a chorus boy in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] revue ''[[One Touch of Venus]]''.<ref>John Loughery,''The Other Side of Silence: Men's Lives and Gay Identities'', New York, 1998, p. 152</ref> Spellman defended Senator [[Joseph McCarthy]]'s 1953 investigations of subversives and homosexuals in the federal government.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

Archbishop [[Rembert Weakland]] of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee|Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], retired on 24 May 2002 following the revelation that he had used $450,000 in archdiocesan funds to settle a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment. In a statement one week later, he admitted the falsity of his previous assertion that income he had earned outside of his priestly occupation (and turned over to the Church) exceeded the $450,000.<ref name="jsonline">{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=47750 |title=Weakland begs for forgiveness |first1=Tom |last1=Heinen |last2=Zahn |first2=Mary |work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] |date=2002-06-01 |access-date=2007-07-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311034132/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=47750 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-11}}</ref> In 2009 he confirmed that he was gay, but did not reveal any details of his relationships.<ref name="jsonline" /><ref>[[WITI-TV]], Milwaukee, 11 May 2009, relaying an Associated Press report</ref><ref>''National Review'', 24 May 2002</ref><ref name=advocate>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_July_23/ai_89871725 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050130011618/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_July_23/ai_89871725 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-01-30 |title=The dangerous lives of gay priests |work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] |date=2002-07-23 |first=Mubarak |last=Dahir |access-date=2007-07-07}}</ref>

The auxiliary Roman Catholic Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town|Cape Town]], South Africa,  Reginald Cawcutt,  resigned in July 2002 following allegations that he outed himself as gay on a sometimes-sexually charged website set up for gay priests. Bishop Reginald Cawcutt blamed the scandal on the conservative US organization Roman Catholic Faithful which infiltrated the now closed website, called St. Sebastian's Angels, and traced posting addresses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/gaypriests.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060821182956/http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/gaypriests.htm |archive-date=2006-08-21 }}</ref>

In 2003, Cardinal [[Hans Hermann Groër]] was removed from office by [[Pope John Paul II]] for alleged sexual misconduct with younger men who were students in his care. Officially, the [[Pope]] accepted the resignation letter which Groër had written on the occasion of his 75th birthday. This made Groër, who had adamantly refused to ever comment in public on the allegations, one of the highest-ranking Catholic clerics to become caught up in the [[Roman Catholic sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse scandals]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gale.com/databases/questia|title=Questia|website=www.gale.com|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref>

In 2005, [[Juan Carlos Maccarone]], the Bishop of [[Santiago del Estero]] in Argentina was forced to resign after images were released of him engaged in sexual activity with another man. Suggestion was made that the former state governor [[Carlos Juárez (politician)|Carlos Juarez]] had been involved in the release after criticism of the governor's human rights record.<ref>http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=71660 - retrieved 6 August 2009</ref>

[[Francisco Domingo Barbosa Da Silveira]], the Bishop of [[Minas, Uruguay|Minas]] in [[Uruguay]], was forced to resign in July 2009, following a gay sex scandal in which he had faced [[extortion]].<ref>''On Top Magazine'', 2 July 2009, "[http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4120&MediaType=1&Category=24 Uruguay Bishop Steps Down Amid Gay Sex Scandal]".</ref><ref>''Catholic News Agency'', 1 July 2009, "[http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16430 Pope accepts resignation of Uruguayan bishop accused of sexual misconduct]".</ref>

In February 2013, Cardinal [[Keith O'Brien]], leader of the Catholic Church in [[Scotland]], was forced to resign as archbishop three months ahead of planned retirement because of allegations of inappropriate acts with four priests during the 1980s, but also more recently. O'Brien had been a vocal critic of the UK Government's plans to introduce [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21563345 |title=BBC News - Cardinal Keith O'Brien 'accused of inappropriate acts' |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= 24 February 2013|access-date=2013-02-24}}</ref>

In October 2016, a group in favour of [[same-sex marriage]] in [[Mexico]] called the Pride National Front (FON) alleged that a number of Catholic leaders were homosexual. The list included [[Hipólito Reyes Larios]], Archbishop of Xalapa in Veracruz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2016/09/22/revelan-nombres-de-jerarcas-catolicos-con-orientacion-homosexual |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013223029/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2016/09/22/revelan-nombres-de-jerarcas-catolicos-con-orientacion-homosexual |archive-date=2016-10-13 }}</ref>

===Lutheranism===
[[File:Eva Brunne-2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Eva Brunne]], world's first openly lesbian bishop]]
In 2008 the gay German priest Horst Gorski was nominated for election as a bishop in the [[North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church]], [[Germany]]. He lost against Gerhard Ulrich.  In 2015, however, Gorski became the first homosexual to serve as head of office for the [[United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany]] (VELKD) and Vice-President of the [[Evangelical Church in Germany]] (EKD).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://www.ekd.de/personen/gorski.html&prev=search|title=Google Translate|website=translate.google.com|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref>

In May 2009 the [[Church of Sweden Diocese of Stockholm|Diocese of Stockholm]] in the [[Church of Sweden]] elected [[Eva Brunne]] as its bishop. She won the vote by 413 votes to 365 and officially succeeded Bishop [[Caroline Krook]] in November 2009. Brunne is married to her partner, Gunilla Linden, who is a priest and with whom she has a son. Brunne is believed to be the world's first openly lesbian bishop.

Following her appointment, Brunne said: "I am happy and very proud to be part of a church that encourages people to make their own decisions." She added: "Diversity is a big wealth."<ref>http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12673.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719230721/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12673.html |date=19 July 2009 }} - retrieved 6 August 2009</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] (ELCA) elected its first openly gay bishop, Bishop [[Guy Erwin]], to office as the bishop of the Southwest California Synod.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/rev-guy-erwin-lutheran-gay-bishop_n_3369794.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Paul | last=Raushenbush | title=First Openly Gay Lutheran Bishop Elected | date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

In 2015 the Church of Sweden elected [[Mikael Mogren]] as [[bishop of Västerås]], and thus got their first openly gay male bishop. He came out publicly as gay in one of his books published in 2013,<ref>[http://www.qx.se/samhalle/28709/mikael-mogren-vald-till-biskop] QX, "Mikael Mogren vald till biskop"</ref> without much public attention to the fact neither then nor at the time of his election. In one of the interviews following the election that mentioned his orientation, Mogren explained that he is "not a [[single-issue party]]".<ref>[http://www.dalademokraten.se/dalarna/rattvik/dd-moter-dalarnas-nye-biskop] Dala-Demokraten, "DD möter Dalarnas nye biskop"</ref>

Also in 2015, bishop [[Kevin Kanouse]], a bishop in the ELCA, came out as gay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lutheran-bishop-comes-out-as-gay-after_us_55b6637ce4b0074ba5a54ac5|title=Bishop Comes Out As Gay After 'A Lifetime Of Denying' The Truth|last=Editor|first=Antonia Blumberg Associate Religion|last2=Post|first2=The Huffington|date=2015-07-27|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=2016-11-02}}</ref>

On May 8, 2021, Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected the Reverend Doctor [[Megan Rohrer]] the first openly transgender bishop, the first in any major Christian denomination. They were installed September 11, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/9/10/first-out-trans-bishop-installed-lutheran-denomination|title=First Out Trans Bishop Installed by Lutheran Denomination|date=10 September 2021|website=www.advocate.com|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref>

=== United Methodist Church ===
{{Main|Homosexuality and Methodism}}

In 2016, the [[Central conferences (United Methodist Church)|Western Jurisdiction]] of the United Methodist Church elected its first openly gay and partnered bishop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdiction-elects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop|title=Western Jurisdiction elects openly gay United Methodist bishop|last=Gilbert|first=Kath L.|date=15 July 2016|website=www.umc.org|publisher=United Methodist Church|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718232123/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdiction-elects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop|archive-date=18 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Before being elected, Bishop [[Karen Oliveto]] had served as senior pastor of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/16/486300173/united-methodist-church-elects-first-openly-gay-bishop-in-defiance-of-church-rul|title=United Methodist Church Elects First Openly Gay Bishop, in Defiance of Church Rules|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref> Earlier in 2016, the [[Annual conferences of the United Methodist Church|New York Annual Conference]] of the United Methodist Church had ordained the denomination's first openly LGBTQ clergy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/new-york-board-welcomes-gay-clergy-candidates|title=New York board welcomes gay clergy candidates - The United Methodist Church|last=Communications|first=United Methodist|website=The United Methodist Church|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref> At the United Methodist Church's General Conference, the delegates voted in favour of a motion to defer the issue of human sexuality to the Council of Bishops to reexamine the Book of Discipline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/05/18/3779705/united-methodist-church-has-a-new-method/|title=United Methodist Church Takes 'Historic Action' Toward LGBT Equality|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref> On 7 May 2018 the Council of Bishops in the United Methodist Church proposed allowing individual pastors and regional church bodies to decide whether to ordain LGBT clergy and perform same-sex weddings, though this proposal can only be approved by the General Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/religion/2018/5/05/methodist-bishops-back-choice-lgbt-clergy-same-sex-marriage|title=Methodist Bishops Back Choice on LGBT Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage|date=5 May 2018|website=www.advocate.com|accessdate=13 September 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ordination of LGBT Christian clergy]]

== References ==
=== Footnotes ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*Lynne Yamaguchi FLETCHER, ''The First Gay Pope and Other Records'', [[Alyson Publications]], Boston-MA (1992)
*K. SAUNDERS and P. STANFORD, ''Catholics and Sex'', Heinemann, London (1992) {{ISBN|0-434-67246-7}}
*Stuart E. CHOSEN, ''Gay Catholic Priests Tell Their Stories'', Geoffrey Chapman, London (1993) {{ISBN|0-225-66682-0}}
*Atila Silke GUIMARÃES, ''The Catholic Church and Homosexuality'', Tan Books & Publishers, Charlotte-... (1999) {{ISBN|0-89555-651-0}}

{{Use British English Oxford spelling|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}

[[Category:Bishops by type]]
[[Category:LGBT and Christianity|Bishops, gay]]
[[Category:LGBT and Anglicanism]]
[[Category:LGBT and Catholicism]]
[[Category:LGBT bishops| ]]