N.C. minister resigns in support of same-sex marriage

Subscribe To
The Advocate

Print > Digital >

Give a gift • Renew

Scroll To Top

World

N.C. minister
resigns in support of same-sex marriage

The Reverend Howard Hanger of Asheville, N.C., announced Sunday that he will be turning in his ordination to the United Methodist Church. The Asheville Citizen Times reports that he told the congregation of Jubilee! Community, a nondenominational church that draws about 500 people for Sunday services, that his decision was due to his disagreement with the denomination over its refusal to recognize same-sex unions. Hanger joins pastors Joe Hoffman and Mark Ward in protesting institutional stances on same-sex marriages. Hoffman, pastor of the 200-member First Congregational United Church of Christ, and Ward, who leads the 540-member Unitarian Universalist Church (both of Asheville), have announced in recent weeks that they would no longer perform civil marriage ceremonies for North Carolina until the state recognizes same-sex marriages. Hanger said he wanted his congregation and the many couples whose weddings he is slated to perform to know that his decision will not affect his ability to officiate at weddings. (Sirius OutQ News)

Be sure to follow Advocate on your favorite social platform

DON'T MISS THE OUT100 SPECIAL 3 DAY MARATHON STARTING NOVEMBER 24TH!

Journey through the year’s influential Out100 – the most iconic and long-standing celebration of LGBTQ + icons and allies – in a 1-hour television special spotlighting the LGBTQ+ people shaping the world today.

WATCH & LIVESTREAM ON ADVOCATECHANNEL.COM

AND ON THE ADVOCATE CHANNEL APP

Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!

APPLE STORE - GOOGLE PLAY

ROKU - APPLE TV - FIRE TV - GOOGLE TV

From our Sponsors

Latest Stories

5 Facts You May Not Know About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

News

Search form

N.C. minister resigns in support of same-sex marriage

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Trending stories

LGBTQ+ Couples Who Broke Up in 2023 (So Far)

Fans Are Mad Jimmy Fallon Called Hunter Schafer 'Bud'

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Preps for Long-Awaited Opening

7 Uplifting Films To Celebrate Trans Awareness Week & Where To Stream Them

Watch Now! Celebrate LGBTQ+ People Opening Doors in Out100 Special

Watch Now! Celebrate LGBTQ+ People Opening Doors in Out100 Special

25 Times Billy Porter Didn't Hold Back & We Lived For The Shade Of It All

FBI Investigating Vehicle Explosion That Killed 2 at US-Canadian Border

12 Shadiest Moments On 'Give It To Me Straight' With Maddy Morphosis

Wednesday's Top Stories: Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal, Thanksgiving Travel, Credit Card Debt

​Houston, We Have a Problem — With Discriminating Against HIV+ People

Art Exhibit Explores Code-Switching Through a Queer Modern Lens

How Watching Football Became a Thanksgiving Tradition

Broadway Flea Market & Auction Raises $1.2 Million for HIV Causes

4 Steps That Will Get You Through a Political Thanksgiving in Peace

'Grey Friday:' Why Black Friday Is Going to Look Different This Year

Volcanic Fears as River of Magma Cuts Fissure Through Icelandic City

Aspen Gay Ski Week Returns in January 2024

Say Hello to the Real Queer Men of Tbilisi

An Open Letter to the Queer Folks Dreading the Holidays

How EDC Las Vegas Compares to EDC Orlando

5 Facts You May Not Know About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

​FBI Busts 16-Million Dollar Fake HIV Drug Scheme​

15 Steamy Pics of 'Élite' Stud Alejandro Albarracín

All The Queer Shows Canceled In 2023 (So Far)

Most Recent

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Quit the Show While Filming

Out100 Highlights: Unveiling the Top 15 Memorable Moments at Out100 2023

Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

Amazon's Fashion Gift Guide: Shop Seasonal Styles for Holiday Gifting!

​A Museum Is Reclassifying One Roman Emperor As a Trans Woman

Out’s Deal Guide: Save on Hosting Essentials for Holiday Parties!

Out100 TV Special: Powerful Moments to Look Forward To

We're Very Thankful for Colton Underwood's Back Arch

Provincetown’s Crown & Anchor: Get Naughty, Not Nice with The Petty Four Holiday Show

10 LGBTQ+ Books That Should Become TV Shows Or Movies

Amazon's Fashion Gift Guide: Shop Seasonal Styles for Holiday Gifting!

Out’s Deal Guide: Save on Hosting Essentials for Holiday Parties!

Provincetown’s Crown & Anchor: Get Naughty, Not Nice with The Petty Four Holiday Show

13 Queens Who Quit or Retired From Drag After 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

Out's Deal Guide: Grab Your 50% Off Amazon Fire Tablets & More Recommended Deals on Amazon Today!

Target's Gay Nutcracker & Black Santa in Wheelchair Have Fox News Hosts Triggered

FDA Authorizes First Home Test For Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Colman Domingo Won’t Be Hidden: Out100 2023’s Visibility Award Honoree Takes Center Stage

Willow Pill Says This Is The Perfect All Stars Cast & We Have Thoughts

DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

Out's Deal Guide: Grab Your 50% Off Amazon Fire Tablets & More Recommended Deals on Amazon Today!

Out100 TV Special: Powerful Moments to Look Forward To

Recommended Stories for You

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Quit the Show While Filming

Out100 Highlights: Unveiling the Top 15 Memorable Moments at Out100 2023

Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

Amazon's Fashion Gift Guide: Shop Seasonal Styles for Holiday Gifting!

​A Museum Is Reclassifying One Roman Emperor As a Trans Woman

Out’s Deal Guide: Save on Hosting Essentials for Holiday Parties!

Out100 TV Special: Powerful Moments to Look Forward To

We're Very Thankful for Colton Underwood's Back Arch

Provincetown’s Crown & Anchor: Get Naughty, Not Nice with The Petty Four Holiday Show

10 LGBTQ+ Books That Should Become TV Shows Or Movies

Amazon's Fashion Gift Guide: Shop Seasonal Styles for Holiday Gifting!

Out’s Deal Guide: Save on Hosting Essentials for Holiday Parties!

Provincetown’s Crown & Anchor: Get Naughty, Not Nice with The Petty Four Holiday Show

13 Queens Who Quit or Retired From Drag After 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

Out's Deal Guide: Grab Your 50% Off Amazon Fire Tablets & More Recommended Deals on Amazon Today!

Target's Gay Nutcracker & Black Santa in Wheelchair Have Fox News Hosts Triggered

FDA Authorizes First Home Test For Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Colman Domingo Won’t Be Hidden: Out100 2023’s Visibility Award Honoree Takes Center Stage

Willow Pill Says This Is The Perfect All Stars Cast & We Have Thoughts

DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

Out's Deal Guide: Grab Your 50% Off Amazon Fire Tablets & More Recommended Deals on Amazon Today!

N.C. minister
resigns in support of same-sex marriage

Houston, We Have a Problem — With Discriminating Against HIV+ People

FBI Busts 16-Million Dollar Fake HIV Drug Scheme

A Museum Is Reclassifying One Roman Emperor As a Trans Woman

A Museum Is Reclassifying One Roman Emperor As a Trans Woman