In August 2000, the 37th General Council of The United Church of Canada overturned a policy that had been on its books since 1960 which stated that homosexuality is a sin. It reaffirmed that human sexual orientations and gender identities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and heterosexual) are gifts from God, calling them “a part of the marvellous diversity of creation.” This resource was developed by the Justice, Global, and Ecumenical Relations Unit of The United Church of Canada, in response to this and other resolutions of the 37th and 38th General Council which called on the church to work for the civil recognition of same-sex partnerships, and to recognize them in church documentation and services of blessing, and for the recognition of them in federal marriage legislation.

Having heard Petition 66, therefore be it resolved that the 38th General Council find a way, on our behalf, to express our sincere regret to these women and express our sorrow for the loss of their leadership to the church.

BE IT RESOLVED that Saskatchewan Conference petition the 38th General Council to call upon the Government of Canada to recognize same sex marriages in the marriage legislation.

The Business Committee recommended that in response to Petitions #125, #126, #127 and #128, the 37th General Council renounce the 1960 statement that homosexuality is a sin...

BE IT RESOLVED that the 36th General Council request the Moderator write a letter to all provincial and territorial governments in Canada, and the Government of Bermuda, urging them to promote tolerance by having their Departments of Education require that all teachers and counsellors take a course of study on issues regarding gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual students...

Therefore be it resolved that the 36th General Council go on record as supporting the amendment of the Income Tax Act to redefine the word "spouse" by deleting the phrase "of the opposite sex" in section 252 (4) and thereby treating same-sex spouses the same as opposite sex spouses, and urge the Government of Canada to make such an amendment immediately. economic justice, taxation

THAT we urge the Government of Canada to ensure that female circumcision and sexual orientation be identified as a ground for gender persecution as outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Board guidelines.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 35th General Council authorize $100,000 for a fund for “Counselling Support for Complainants of Abuse” and refer Petition 88 to the Division of Ministry Personnel and Education, which will in turn report to the Executive of General Council for implementation.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 35th General Council ask the Division of Mission in Canada to write a letter of support to the Government of Canada for the work now in progress on preparing gender persecution guidelines.

The 34th General Council agrees to 1. urge the Division of Mission in Canada to: compile available studies and evaluate the housing conditions and difficulties of single women on fixed income and single senior a. women (e.g. Maritime Conference study); b. make available the report of this study within the appropriate courts of the church; and 2. request the Government of Canada, on behalf of those in need, to re-establish the funding of cooperative housing proje