Jonathan LeMaster-Smith

This social principle states:
Because all people are of sacred worth and certain basic human rights are due to everyone, we are committed to supporting the equal rights, liberties, and protections of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We see clear issues of equality and justice in protecting the rightful claims of those with shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, because in many countries sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately impacted by social stigmas, discrimination, coercion and violence, we call on churches, governments, businesses, and civic organizations to do all in their power to combat such unjust treatment and to promote equal rights and protections for all.


This language is modified from language we already had in the 2016 Discipline ¶ 162.J (see image below). This has nothing to do with marriage, ordination, or church relationships. It is about the rights of all people to exist and receive the basic human rights.

This is rooted in our theology that all people are made in the image of God, all people are of sacred worth, and all people are deserving of equal rights and treatment.
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The marriage and incompatibility statements are elsewhere in the Social Principles.