In 1976, the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA) held a vote on two resolutions concerning homosexuality during the General Convention, the governing body of the Episcopal Church. Resolution A-69 stated that "homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church," while resolution A-71 established “that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and calls upon our society to see that such protection is provided in actuality.”

A related resolution (A-68) recommended "that the dioceses and the Church in general engage in serious study and dialogue in the area of human sexuality, (including homosexuality) as it pertains to various aspects of life, particularly living styles, employment, housing, and education."

On the issue of the ordination of homosexuals, the General Convention directed the "Joint Commission on the Church in Human Affairs to study in depth the matter of the ordination of homosexual persons and report its findings, along with recommendations, to the Church at large for study."

This collection includes copies of the report by the Joint Commission on the Church in Human Affairs, the report of the Screening Task Force of the Commission on Ministry, the report of the Committee on Human Sexuality, as well as notes and clippings from that period.

Sources consulted in the creation of this finding aid include:

General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 1976, New York: General Convention, 1977. Retrieved from: https://www.episcopalarchives.org/sites/default/files/publications/1976_GC_Journal.pdf

Bill Moyers Journal. Homosexuality and the Episcopal Church (1976-2007). PBS, https://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06082007/history_church.html