Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris this week thanked leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church for their support and conveyed her commitment to moving the country forward on their behalf, but church leaders don't seem keen to do that when it comes to same-sex marriage.
AME Church leaders voted to reject a bill that would have ended the AME Church's ban on same-sex marriage at their 52nd Quadrennial Conference on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio.
in Addressing the Conference Participants That same day, Harris blasted the Republican Party for trying to take the country backwards.
“We face a choice between two very different visions for the future of our nation. One is our vision, which is focused on the future. The other is focused on the past,” Harris told the crowd. “But we are not going to go back.”
Same-sex marriage was legalized by the federal government in 2015.
The AME Church is a predominantly black church based in the United States. It originated out of racial hostility between black and white members of the Methodist Church in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, 92% of AME Church members identify as Democrats. Pew Research Center, a polling company.
AME Church leaders were credited with playing a key role in Biden's election in 2020, and this year He campaigned alongside prominent Democratic candidates.
The church boasts a vast network of Democratic congregations, but its stance on same-sex marriage does not align with the party's official stance.
In 2004, church leaders issued a statement saying same-sex marriage was inconsistent with their interpretation of the Bible. According to the Human Rights Campaign: A non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ.
Recently, Internal Dissent The issue came to light when a vote on whether to repeal the church's ban on same-sex marriage was held on Wednesday, with 896 votes against and 722 in favor.
While Harris appears unconcerned about the AME Church's stance on same-sex marriage, she has had harsh words for Republicans on other “anti-equality” measures.
She has previously called Republican lawmakers “extremist” who have sought to bar biological men from women's restrooms, restrict public drag shows to minors and limit transgender care to adults only.
“These so-called leaders have proposed and passed over 75 new anti-equality bills across our country.” Harris said at a Pride Month event. last year.
Republicans, meanwhile, have accused Harris of being a “political chameleon” who changes policy positions for political purposes.
The Harris campaign did not respond to questions about whether Harris was aware of the AME Church's position on same-sex marriage before recording the message that was broadcast at the press conference, or whether she still supports same-sex couples' right to marry. The AME Church hung up on the phone when reached by Fox News Digital.
“This is the most important election of our lifetimes,” Harris told the congregation on Wednesday, thanking them “deeply” for their support and outreach efforts. Harris did not mention LGBTQ issues in her brief message, but did touch on economic, health and religious freedom issues. She also implored the congregation to “do all you can to move our country forward.”
“As the Gospel of Luke tells us, faith has the power to shine light on those who live in darkness and guide us on the path to peace. In times like these, faith can guide us. Faith in the American promise of freedom, opportunity and justice is for all, not just a few.”
