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RESOLVED, that the Diocese of California submit the following resolution and accompanying explanation to the 75^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

Resolved, the House of ____________ concurring, that no person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of gender identity, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established.

Title III, Canon 1, Sec. 2 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church states that "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established." This resolution would revise this canon by adding "gender identity or expression of gender identity" to this list of protected categories.

This revision is based upon our increased understanding of the need to respect the human dignity of transgender people: transsexuals and others who are seen to differ from societal gender norms. Gender identity, in and of itself, should not be a basis for exclusion from consideration for, or participation in, the ministries of the Church.

Submitted by Oasis/California, the Rev. John L. Kirkley, President.