Guide to the More Light Presbyterians Records

More Light Presbyterians (MLP) traces its creation to the LGBTQIA+ activism and ministry of David Bailey Sindt and other queer Presbyterians who fought for full inclusion in ordination and membership rights within the Presbyterian Church, starting in the 1970s. Sindt began sending letters to select Presbyterians early in 1974, hoping to seek out people who would be interested in advocating for gay/queer concerns within the Church. These letters initiated the formation of a new Presbyterian LGBTQIA+ rights group, which met for the first time at the 1974 United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky. At that assembly, Sindt held up a sign that said, "Is Anyone Else Out There Gay?" From this action and Sindt's previous grassroots organizing efforts in the months prior to the assembly, a group came into existence at that time known as the Presbyterian Gay Caucus (PGC). The PGC was invited by the Stated Clerk to submit a Chapter XXVIII (28) report on its 1974 activities and finances to the 1975 General Assembly. The assembly spent time debating the report but ultimately voted not to receive it. The PGC continued to grow, published newsletters, conducted outreach work, and participated in a coalition of twelve organizations committed to a theology of pluralism in the UPCUSA. On March 24, 1976, the PGC became incorporated in Illinois. The first moderator was Ellen Sue Findley (of Des Moines, Iowa), and the first coordinator and newsletter editor was Sindt (of Chicago, Illinois). Rodger M. Wilson served on the steering committee and as synod coordinator for the Synod of the Sun. William (Bill) D. Silver, an openly gay candidate for ministry in the Presbytery of New York City, served on the steering committee and as synod coordinator for the Synod of the Northeast. Joan Schneider Abrams was elected as the second moderator in 1976. In March 1977, the PGC renamed itself Presbyterians for Gay Concerns (also PGC). Chris Glaser was elected as the group's new coordinator and newsletter editor, and Silver was elected moderator. Additionally, James (Jim) D. Anderson became synod coordinator of the Synod of the Northeast in 1978, and Sandra (Sandy) Brawders was elected coordinator in 1979. Anderson would go on to serve as communications secretary and newsletter editor.

In 1976, the General Assembly commissioned a task force to study homosexuality (officially called the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality), focused on whether to ordain practicing homosexuals. The study was in part brought on by the Presbytery of New York City's request for guidance regarding the ministerial candidacy of Silver. PGC monitored General Assembly actions regarding the Task Force and encouraged people to meet and talk with gay/queer people while studying the Task Force's final report. Additionally, Glaser served as the only openly gay member of the Task Force. The Task Force's final report included a background paper and majority and minority policy statements and recommendations. The majority statement recommended that presbyteries and congregations be allowed to make their own decisions regarding ordination, whereas the minority statement asked the General Assembly to rule against allowing homosexuals to be ordained. The report and both sets of recommendations were transferred to the General Assembly for a vote, with the Task Force's recommendation that the General Assembly accept the majority statement. The General Assembly voted to adopt the minority statement instead on May 22, 1978, effectively ruling that while LGBTQIA+ people could join churches, they could not serve in leadership roles. Several churches took issue with the ruling and declared themselves "More Light" churches. By saying they were a More Light Church, congregations were publicly committing to welcoming LGBTQIA+ people into the full life of the community. The number of More Light churches grew over the next decade, and in 1992, they formally joined together to become the More Light Churches Network (MLCN).

In 1979, the General Assembly accepted PGC's Chapter 28 report, recognizing the group's official status. PGC renamed itself again in 1980 to Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns (PLGC). PLGC participated in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s (PC(USA)) Consultation on Homophobia in September 1984 at Stony Point, part of the Program Agency's Education Project on Homophobia. Glaser and Reverend Janie Spahr were presenters at the consultation.

In 1987, the PC(USA) General Assembly voted to uphold the ban on ordaining homosexuals but established a Special Committee on Human Sexuality to study the issue. The committee spent three years studying all aspects of human sexuality and recommended that justice and love be used to evaluate all relationships, including heterosexual marriages. In 1991, the Human Sexuality Committee's final report, which advocated for the ordination rights of gay and lesbian Presbyterians, was debated and ultimately rejected by the General Assembly. LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians and allies responded to this decision with a silent demonstration on the assembly floor, with many PLGC members participating.

PLGC continued its advocacy work through the 1990s, fighting against a change to the Book of Order in 1997. Amendment B, known as the "fidelity-chastity" amendment, was approved and added to the ordination requirements listed in the Book of Order as G-6.0106b. This included a statement intended to bar LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians from ordination. To combat this, PLGC supported Amendment A, known as the "fidelity-integrity" amendment, which was created to replace Amendment B with more inclusive language. It was approved by the General Assembly in 1997, but ultimately defeated by presbyteries in 1998.

PLGC and MLCN joined together around 1999 to become MLP. With the PC(USA)'s passage of Amendment 10-A, which became G-2.0104b in the Book of Order, the Church finally allowed the ordination of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians. MLP continues to advocate for allowing the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in life, ministry, and witness of the PC(USA) and in society.