Connect with us

Local

Reinstated minister to preach at Frederick Pride

Methodist panel overturns decision to defrock pastor who performed gay wedding

Published

12 years ago

on

Frederick, Frank Schaefer, United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade, Frederick Pride

Rev. Frank Schaefer was defrocked for performing his gay son’s wedding. (Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)

A Methodist pastor who was defrocked for performing his gay son’s wedding is scheduled to deliver a guest sermon at a Pride Day church service in Frederick, Md., on Saturday — less than a week after a Methodist appeals panel reinstated him as a practicing minister.

A nine-member United Methodist Church appeals committee stunned members of the church’s conservative faction on Wednesday by overturning a church decision last year to strip Rev. Frank Schaefer of his ministerial authority on grounds that he refused to promise not to perform same-sex marriages in the future.

The appeals committee, which met in Linthicum, Md., ruled that the defrocking of Schaefer was an improper method of punishing him. The committee upheld the church’s decision to suspend him for 30 days, a penalty that Schaefer has already served, and ordered that the church in Lebanon, Pa., for which he had been serving as pastor give him back pay from the time the suspension ended last December.

“Today there was a very clear and strong signal from the church, and that message is, ‘Change is on the way,’” the New York Times quoted Schaefer as saying on the day of his reinstatement.

“One day we will celebrate the fact that we have moved beyond this horrible chapter in our church’s life,” the Times quoted him as saying.

Schaefer was scheduled to deliver a guest sermon on Saturday, June 28, at an LGBT Pride Day service at Grace United Church of Christ in Frederick, Md.

Rev. Robert Apgar-Taylor, the gay pastor of the church, said Schaefer accepted his invitation to deliver a Pride Day sermon at the church back in March, at a time when he was appealing the decision to defrock him but long before the outcome of the appeal was known.

“I contacted Frank probably three or four months ago about coming to our Pride event, and he accepted,” Apgar-Taylor told the Blade. “And he never dreamt it would be the week his appeal would come through.”

Added Apgar-Taylor, “We’re going to be the first place that he speaks after his appeal, which is actually quite cool.”

Following the 11 a.m. church service Schaefer was scheduled to accompany Apgar-Taylor and members of the congregation to a park in downtown Frederick where the LGBT Pride celebration was to take place.
The decision to defrock Schaefer came about after church officials learned last year that he performed his son’s same-sex marriage in Massachusetts in 2007. Church officials in Pennsylvania initially suspended him for violating church rules that prohibit same-sex marriage. The officials next called on Schaefer to promise not to perform same-sex marriages in the future. He refused to make such a promise, prompting a church tribunal to defrock him.

In its decision released on Wednesday, the appeals panel concluded that the decision to revoke Schaefer’s credentials as a minister was illegal under church law. The appeals panel said a “well-established principle” of the church is that “our clergy can only be punished for what they have been convicted of doing in the past, not for what they may or may not do in the future.”

The Washington Post reported that the appeals panel indicated that its decision was based solely on the facts of Schaefer’s case and it was not making a broader statement about the United Methodist Church’s position on homosexuality.

Related Topics:
Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

14 hours ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.” 

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

Continue Reading

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

on

September 2, 2026

By

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

Continue Reading

Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

1 week ago

on

September 1, 2026

By

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Monday (9/7)

The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.

Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.

Continue Reading

Popular