Gay Marriage Approved by Presbyterian Church, USA

The Presbyterian Church (USA), voted Tuesday to allow same-sex marriage under the denomination's constitution, The New York Times reports.

After three decades of debate over its stance on homosexuality, members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted on Tuesday to change the definition of marriage in the church’s constitution to include same-sex marriage.

Not all of the church's 171 presbyteries had voted on Tuesday night, but a majority already had been achieved with the vote standing at 86-41, with one tie.

The vote changes the church's constitution from reading that marriage is between "a man and a woman" to "two people, traditionally a man and a woman."

Ministers who object to same-sex marriage are not required to perform the ceremonies.

The PC-USA has 1.8 million members, but has been losing individuals and whole congregations as it has moved to the theological left over the past several years.

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