The vote by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) May 10 allowing the ordination of openly gay and lesbian ministers is being hailed by LGBT leaders in the United Church of Christ as another major milestone in the journey for justice.

"The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns welcomes the PCUSA to the growing family of churches that have removed barriers to the ordination of LGBT candidates for ministry," said Andy Lang, the Coalition's executive director. "We celebrate the years of hard work and courage that led our partner in the Reformed communion to this day – and especially the leadership of More Light Presbyterians.
 
The PCUSA joins at least 10 other Reformed churches that welcome LGBT clergy, including ancestral churches in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, said Lang in the statement. "But this victory also reminds us that our ultimate goal still lies in the future; a day when all of our churches will welcome everyone, and exclude no one," he said.

The change, which opens the possibility that people in same-sex relationships can be considered for ordination, is expected to take effect July 10. It is the latest move by a Protestant denomination toward the inclusion of gay and lesbian clergy.

In 1972, the UCC ordained the Rev. William R. Johnson as the denomination's first openly gay pastor.

In August 2009, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to eliminate a ban on partnered gay clergy and committed to allow people in same-sex relationships to serve as church leaders. The nation's largest Lutheran denomination had previously permitted openly gay and lesbian clergy as long as they remained celibate.

Last year, the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly lesbian bishop – the Rev. Mary Glasspool of Los Angeles – in the face of objections from some conservative Anglicans.

The Twin Citites Area presbytery, which covers Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., became the 87th presbytery – and the deciding vote – to approve an amendment that will remove the constitutional requirement that all ministers, elders and deacons live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness."

"I see this as an opportunity to build a stronger church. Faithful and qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians will be able to openly serve the church with energy, intelligence, imagination and love," said the Rev. Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian pastor in Pittsburgh.

According to the church's website, the PCUSA has 2.3 million members in 50 states and Puerto Rico.