In 1972 the United Methodist Church continued to develop the Book of Discipline and adopted a statement on sexual morality.
The statement as drafted and proposed read: "Homosexuals no less than heterosexuals are person [sic] of sacred worth, who need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship which enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self.
"[7] At this point Leggett had already been defrocked; however, there was no justifiable reason for his relocation as there was no rule in the Book of Discipline that prevented homosexuals from being clergy.
[8] Leggett was to give a speech before the Hand Amendment was voted on; however, church officials prevented him from speaking.
[11] To protest his defrocking, Leggett along with some of his friends during the ordination ceremonies at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference would stand gagged with his liturgical stole around his hands and mouth.
He also organized a similar protest at the Minnesota Annual Conference when Rick Huskey was defrocked in 1977.