Michael Hutchinson looks at developments in Quaker thought on sexuality, ahead of Yearly Meeting Gathering’s consideration

‘We recognise that many homosexual people play a full part in the life of the Society of Friends. There are homosexual couples who consider themselves to be married and believe that this is as much a testimony of divine grace as a heterosexual marriage. They miss the public recognition of this in a religious ceremony… We have found the word “marriage” difficult but we are clear that we have a responsibility to support all members of our Meetings and to uphold them in their relationships. We can expect that some committed homosexual couples will ask their Meetings for a celebration of their commitment to each other. Meetings already have the means whereby Meetings for Worship can be held for this purpose… The acceptance of homosexuality distresses some Friends.’

Meeting for Sufferings minuted that in 1987. Twenty two years ago. Where are we now?

Perhaps a summary of what we collectively feel now about the recognition of same sex relationships under the care of the Meeting might sound similar, but the underlying context has changed.

During 2006 and 2007 many Meetings were involved in a wide soundings exercise on these issues, conducted through the Area Meeting representatives on Quaker Life Representative Council. From this came many responses from Area and Local Meetings. The minutes uniformly expressed desire that our recognition of committed relationships be based on equality and worth, but letters from some individuals indicated continued distress with this. A conference at Woodbrooke last year showed this again: the context is that Meetings generally wish to see equality in our processes and under the law, but we need to hold those with us who think differently. Some Friends may find it increasingly difficult to speak of their views in their Meetings.

Friends have the opportunity to thresh the issues at York. In the light of our testimony to equality we are asked by Meeting for Sufferings to consider how we should celebrate and recognise the range of committed relationships within our Quaker community and what revisions of Quaker faith & practice should follow to include same sex partnerships.

‘Such a revision should recognise and embrace, in the context of our testimony to equality, the openness that increasingly exists in our Yearly Meeting, the changes in the legal situation and changing attitudes throughout wider society.’

Those planning the Yearly Meeting Gathering have arranged for intervals between sessions so there is a chance to reflect. On the Monday there be a brief introduction, followed by a session on Tuesday at which a variety of speakers will share their personal experiences. Response Groups will allow Friends to explore what they bring to us. Then on Thursday there will time for discernment – a session to explore the issue and seek broad guidance on how matters might be expressed in Quaker faith & practice.

Yearly Meeting in 1994 minuted after difficulties over what should go in Quaker faith & practice on sexuality: ‘While our own individual experience does not identify with every extract, we recognise, in love, the Friend whose experience is not our own. We pray for ourselves, that we may not divide but keep together in our hearts.’ What will be minuted this time will spring from the workings of Friends together.

Reflection
For more on committed relationships, see Quaker faith & practice 22.19, 22.45 and 22.46, as well as the November 2008 minute of Meeting for Sufferings on the issue, available at http://tinyurl.com/arb6eo or from the Recording Clerk’s Office, Friends House.

Links
Meeting for Sufferings minute
Quaker faith & practice 22.19
Quaker faith & practice 22.45
Quaker faith & practice 22.46

Michael Hutchinson

(This post first appeared in the Friend; you can discuss it on the YMG forum)