ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution C030

Title:   Amend Canons: Title III, Canon 1, Section 2

Topic:   Canons

Committee:   05. Canons

House of Initial Action:   Deputies

Proposer:   Diocese of California

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That Title III, Canon 1, Sec. 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church be amended to read: “No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of gender identity, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons of the Episcopal Church. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established.”

 



EXPLANATION

Title III, Canon 1, Sec. 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church states: "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established." This resolution would revise this canon by adding "gender identity or expression of gender identity" to this list of protected categories.

This revision is based upon our increased understanding of the need to respect the human dignity of transgender people: transsexuals, and others who are seen to differ from societal gender norms. Gender identity, in and of itself, should not be a basis for exclusion from consideration for, or participation in, the ministries of the Church.