Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus

[3] In 1986 EWC passed a resolution by a two-to-one margin stating: Whereas homosexual people are children of God, and because of the biblical mandate of Jesus Christ that we are all created equal in God's sight, and in recognition of the presence of the lesbian minority in EWCI [Evangelical Women's Caucus International], EWCI takes a firm stand in favor of civil rights protection for homosexual persons.

[6] The term “caucus” was popular in women’s movements at the time, and was used to describe the organization’s purpose of challenging inequality in the church and society at large.

[7] Since its founding, the EEWC had been more or less united in its focus on promoting Christian feminism and its mission of gender equality based on biblical teachings.

[9] Scanzoni and Mollenkott’s historical and theological conclusions were hotly debated, and while their allies in the EEWC worked to expand the organization’s purview to LGBTQ+ issues, it was not until 1986 that change was truly enacted.

Many members believed that as a feminist organization striving for equality, the EEWC should support multiple civil rights causes and other social justice movements.

[12] The program coordinator of the 1984 conference Kaye Cook argued that when contentious issues of LGBTQ+ rights and abortion were brought up the organization became polarized and had difficulty fulfilling its core mission.

And some contended that while the state of being homosexual was not immoral, it should not be endorsed outside of a traditional Christian conception of romantic relationships (committed, long-term, monogamous unions).

[13] Those who opposed the resolution on supporting LGBTQ+ civil rights thought that expanding the mission of the EEWC in this way would make it even more difficult for the organization to reach its intended audience of evangelical churches that promoted gender inequality, due to their perceived endorsement of homosexual “lifestyles”.