Homosexuality and Lutheranism

[1][2] Martin Luther, who had spent time in Rome,[3] claimed that Pope Leo X had vetoed a measure that cardinals should restrict the number of boys they kept for their pleasure, "otherwise it would have been spread throughout the world how openly and shamelessly the pope and the cardinals in Rome practice sodomy" and encouraged Germans not to spend time fighting fellow countrymen in defense of the papacy.

ELCA policy states that LGBTQ+ individuals are welcome and encouraged to become members and to participate in the life of the congregation.

In light of the ongoing work of that task force, the 2007 Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution asking bishops to exercise restraint in discipline of those congregations and pastors in violation of 'Vision and Expectations.

The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis passed "Human Sexuality, Gift and Trust",[11] which approved more positive assessments of same-gender partnerships in the church.

[14] In July 2011 Churchwide Assembly of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada passed a new sexuality statement, permitting clergy in committed same-gender partnerships and allowing the blessing of same-sex unions.

In the United Kingdom, the Lutheran Church in Great Britain allows the ordination of LGBT people and permits same-sex marriage.

[16][17] In the year 2000, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) passed the resolution Verantwortung und Verlässlichkeit stärken, in which same-gender partnerships are supported.

[55] The Church of Sweden has permitted the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of partnered gays and lesbians since 2006.

Ecumenical worship service at the Emmaus Church in Berlin , Germany .
Churches in the German EKD , where blessings of same-sex marriages were allowed in 2020 (dark purple) ; churches with blessings of same-sex unions (in light purple) .