A Thorn in the Flesh: How Gay Sexuality Is Changing the Episcopal Church

Hall, an Episcopal priest, presents the history of the struggle for full inclusion and ordination of gays and lesbians in her denomination. Although firmly on the pro-gay side of the rift, she evenhandedly presents the viewpoints of both factions. She opens with two brief chapters offering reasons why homosexuality has become such a key political issue. She then turns to a history of the gay and lesbian debate in Episcopalianism from the late 1950s to the present, and Episcopalian responses to key historical moments, such as the AIDS crisis. Although her focus is on the United States, she deftly explains how the debate has spread and influenced the larger Anglican Communion. In particular, her unraveling of the American roots of the anti-gay bill in Uganda provides crucial analysis of how the debate affects those far beyond North America. Using individuals to shape the story makes even the lengthy discussions of ecclesiastical politics engaging. Her work provides an excellent introduction to the current schisms in Anglicanism, both within the U.S. church and internationally. (May)