Integrity USA

Integrity USA is a nonprofit organization that claims to work with the Episcopal Church in the United States (TEC) for the full inclusion of LGBT members and their allies. Integrity was founded by Louie Crew in rural Georgia, U.S., in 1974. At its zenith, Integrity USA had been the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in The Episcopal Church and for equal access to its rites, securing most of its goals in 2015.

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Beginning in 2018, following a series of board resignations and controversy over allegations of recent mismanagement, financial misconduct, and lack of transparency,[1] the organization and its future is a focus of scrutiny within the Christian press and members of the LGBT community.[2]

Founding and history

In 1974, Louie Crew who was on a teaching fellowship in San Francisco telephoned the reportedly progressive Grace Cathedral in that city, asking if they could help him and his partner meet other gay Episcopalians. The derisive laughter he heard in response prompted him to start a newsletter that November to help gay and lesbian members of the church support one another in what was then a fairly hostile environment.

Crew penned the lead editorial himself:[3]

Integrity derives from integer, Latin for 'entire.' All Christian wholeness demands affirmation of God ordained sexuality; and gays and straights alike are Charged with the responsibility of using their sexuality in healthy human sharing rather than perversely trying to change or exchange the Gift of God.

Across the country, people saw the newsletter advertised in both church and gay publications. They organized into a handful of chapters and gathered, 200 strong, the following year for a national convention. The newsletter grew into a magazine, which was published until 2007, by which time the Internet was providing more immediate, interactive and cost-effective means of communication with Integrity's members.

Often working in coalitions[4] with both secular and other faith-based groups, Integrity has been instrumental in advancing the claim LGBT persons are making for equal protection and opportunity. Through its many ministries Integrity stood at the forefront of LGBT acceptance[5] within The Episcopal Church and continued to work for progress towards full inclusion of its people.

Programs and activities, 1974-2018

General Convention

Integrity has had official representation at every triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church since 1977. The organization's members have helped draft and gather support for the legislative resolutions by which the church's official stance has evolved from denial to tolerance to welcome.[6] The Integrity Eucharist at General Convention, once held on the margins, became an event that at its zenith in 2012 drew nearly 2,000 worshipers. Some resolutions towards equality that Integrity had helped to achieve included:

  • Official prohibition of discrimination against gays and lesbians in 1976.[7]
  • Ordination of the first openly gay priest in TEC in 1977.
  • Passage of a resolution apologizing for past "sins" against gay and lesbian people in 1977.
  • The General Convention spoke out against hate crimes based on sexual orientation and encouraged federal officials to take action against such violence in 1985.
  • Public denouncement of the then-popular belief that AIDS was "the punishment of God upon homosexual persons" in 1985.
  • A resolution explicitly affirming that gay, lesbian and bisexual people could not be refused ordination in the Episcopal Church for that reason alone in 1994.
  • The election, confirmation and consecration of the first openly gay bishop, The Rev. V. Gene Robinson in 2003.[8]
  • Passage of a resolution supporting the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), inclusive of gender identity in 2008.
  • Adoption of four resolutions addressing gender identity and transgender individuals in 2009. Two of them supported enactment of civil sector anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation protecting transgender people at local, state, and federal levels.

2018-2021: "Instability and Uncertainty"

Between March and June 2018, three Integrity USA board members resigned, leaving only one elected board member.

By Autumn 2019, Integrity USA was described by the Episcopal News Service as “a shadow of its former self, beset by struggles with leadership, finances, and communication.”[9]

In 2019, Integrity USA’s board leadership had been described in the press as marked by "instability and uncertainty".[10] In late November 2019, Integrity USA's president resigned, citing the need to spend more time with her family.[11]

Integrity USA Founder Louie Crew Clay died two days later on November 27, 2019.[12]

As further appointments to the organization's board were made in contravention of the Integrity USA's bylaws, the legitimacy of Integrity USA’s leadership and future elections have been placed in doubt by some remaining membership.[13]

In 2020, multiple former presidents called for Integrity USA's dissolution.[14]

See also

References
  1. "Episcopal LGBT Advocacy Group Head Resigns amid Allegations of Mismanagement". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  2. "Facing financial struggles and board resignations, Integrity apologises for lack of transparency". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  3. "November 1974 [HTML]". Integrityusa.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  4. Meredith Bischoff (June 12, 2012). "Organizational Partners of the Institute for Welcoming Resources". Welcomingresources.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  5. "LGBT in the Church". Episcopal Church. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  6. "Where The Episcopal Church Stands on LGBT Issues". Integrityusa.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  7. "Acts of Convention: Resolution # 1976-A069". Episcopalarchives.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  8. "Acts of Convention: Resolution # 2003-C045". Episcopalarchives.org. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  9. "Facing financial struggles and board resignations, Integrity apologises for lack of transparency". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  10. "Facing financial struggles and board resignations, Integrity apologises for lack of transparency". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  11. "Episcopal LGBT Advocacy Group Head Resigns amid Allegations of Mismanagement". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  12. "RIP Louis Crew Clay, Integrity Founder and Champion of Inclusion, dies at 82". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  13. "Integrity President Resigns amid Mounting Criticism". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  14. "former presidents call for group's dissolution". www.episcopalnewsservice.org. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
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