Jamie B. Stroud, PhD

October 24, 2002

Why do Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual United Methodists Remain Loyal To and/or Affiliated With the United Methodist Church, given the Denominational Stance with Regard to Homosexuality?

How was this research conducted?

I posted a questionnaire (40 questions) on my website (http://www.gumresearch.net/); issued a press release; and mailed letters to United Methodist churches (both reconciling and non-reconciling), assorted UM clergy (including bishops), campus ministries, UM caucuses and groups (such as MFSA), and individuals (both GLBT and heterosexual). Some churches published the research information in their newsletters and/or emailed the information to members. Information was also carried by a number of listservs.

How did participants reply?

Research respondents could choose to complete and submit questionnaires electronically via the internet or mail paper versions to a locked mailbox.

How many persons responded to the questionnaire?

The dissertation was based on responses of 358 persons. An additional 50 questionnaires have arrived since then, and I am continuing to accept new questionnaires. I plan to incorporate all new responses prior to publishing a book.

What is the geographic distribution of the respondents?

Responses came from 42 states and from three foreign countries (China, Mexico, the Philippines). States with no respondents: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. Thirty-one respondents did not identify the states in which they lived.

How does the number of respondents compare with the total United Methodist population in the various Jurisdictions ? (Four did not provide this information.)

	Research Respondents	UM Population
Northeast Jurisdiction	79 respondents, or 22%	19%
North Central Jurisdiction	64 respondents (18%)	19%
Southeast Jurisdiction	94 respondents (26%)	35%
South Central Jurisdiction	49 respondents (14%)	22%
Western Jurisdiction	68 respondents (19%)	5%

How active are the respondents in their churches?

Active: 243; financially supportive, 237.

Member, but inactive, peripherally connected, or attend non-UM or other UM church, 84

Attend but don’t contribute, 13

Contribute but don’t attend, 1

What roles/offices/positions do these respondents hold in their local churches?

They serve on and/or chair a variety of committees (Administrative Council and/or Board, trustees, Staff-Parish Committee and/or chair, finance committee), and they participate in United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men, youth groups. They attend worship, Sunday School, and meetings regularly and attend special events. They are Sunday School teachers and youth group leaders, lectors and/or lay speakers, Annual Conference and General Conference delegates, lay leaders, and volunteers, and they sing in the choir. They are staff: pastors, associate pastors, church secretaries, Christian Education Directors, music and/or choir directors, custodial staff.

Do these respondents have children?

Yes; 109 respondents report a total of 282 children.

How did the respondents self-identify with regard to gender orientation?

40 bisexual respondents; 186 gay respondents; 100 lesbian respondents; 20 heterosexual respondents; six other; five questioning orientation. One respondent gave no information.

How did the respondents self-identify with regard to gender identity?

Male (210); female (132); transgender (male to female) (12); and intersex (two).

How many respondents are laity, and how many are clergy?

26% clergy (72 ordained; 17 in process; total 89 respondents); 73% laity (264). No information 1% (5). UMC as a whole, 1% clergy, 99% laity.

Where are these clergy appointed?

45% to local churches; 10% to extension ministries; 8% education; 7% therapists; 7% chaplains; 3% Annual Conference and/or general boards; 3% deacons; 17% ‘other’ (no appropriate options on questionnaire).

How many of the respondents are closeted, and how many are out?

Total population: Closeted, 5% (18). Somewhat out, 41% (143). Out, 54% (197).

Laity: Closeted, 2% (9). Somewhat out, 36% (96). Out, 62% (166).

Clergy respondents: closeted, 11% (9); somewhat out, 48% (47). Out, 41% (31).

How many are in partnered relationships?

154 in same-gender relationships; 44 in other-gender relationships; 62 report history of divorce/separation; 102 are dating. (These are actual numbers, not percent.)

How long have the respondents been in partnered relationships?

Same gender-relationships: range from less than one year to 44 years; 64 respondents are in relationships ranging from 11 to 44 years Other-gender relationships: range from one year to 50 years; 36 respondents are in relationships ranging from 11 to 50 years. .

Where do the respondents find their support networks?

40 at church; 34 in family; 85 among GLBT friends; 23 cite other sources of support such as AA and/or therapy groups; 14 among heterosexual friends; 6 at work. Thirteen (13) report they have no support network. The largest group of respondents (141) cite multiple sources of support networks, including church, family, and friends.

How do the respondents feel about their UM membership?

Feelings: love/hate; proud, angry, comfortable, conflicted, ambivalent, loving, frustrated, good, hurt, pained, happy.

"I dearly love the heritage of our denomination, its long-standing commitments to social justice, conversational governance, and spiritually and intellectually rigorous faith. I am appalled, heartsick, exhausted, and disgusted by the judicial decisions and 'official church stands' on human sexuality in recent years..."

"I feel numb. I was officially a UM for 22 years... Seventeen of those years... were spent as an ordained [pastor]. I served local churches full time [for 15 years], with one year off during that time to do a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education. I gave my all to that church, and now there is nothing. Just a big empty hole where my soul used to be."

"I love the UMC. I really do. From the time I can first remember, I was surrounded by a church family that was caring and wonderful. My mother once told me, about Methodists, that while other denominations might kick you out if you disagree, the Methodists would say, 'Well, let’s talk about it'."

Why do these respondents remain loyal to the United Methodist Church?

Heritage, identity, family, local church, not denomination, Wesleyan theology, social justice focus, challenge, to work for change, faith, calling, stubbornness, welcoming or Reconciling Congregations, hope, "It's my church, too!"

"I was born and raised Catholic and I believe in God, but the UMC handles with great grace many of the things that the Catholic church consistently does poorly, such as teaching love, tolerance, and taking an ACTIVE [sic] role to better the community."

"I stay because of the] Wesleyan heritage and the liberalism regarding social action which don’t occur in this combination in other denominations that I know about."

"Habit? Tradition?... I have a wonderful, active reconciling congregation that's as much at odds with the church as I am... I stay because I believe in Jesus' message of inclusivity..."

"It is the church of my childhood. I love it. When I was in seminary I searched for another denomination that 'fit' -- I went to every mainline Protestant denomination I could find. Whenever I returned to the UMC, I felt at home and alive."

"...pleased with my affiliation with my local UM church. I wish the General Conference would realize that Christ came for all people. I was created by God as I am and was many of my friends and coworkers would attest, being gay is only one part of my personality. To be treated differently simply for that one part, either positively or negatively, bothers me."

"Stupidity, perhaps. Definitely stubbornness. But most of all because I truly love this denomination and what I understand it stands for . . . Love of God as shown in how one treats one’s neighbor."

"I love the UM Church and was called to serve it."

Read Dr Stroud's analysis of the results

Review more quotes from survey respondents