The United Methodist Church has ended its ban on ordaining LGBT clergy.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) has lifted its ban on ordaining LGBT clergy without any discussion or debate. The United Methodist General Conference voted to remove a ban on ordaining clergy in same-sex relationships after conservative congregations have left the denomination.

Delegates at the UMC General Conference passed a measure without debate, approving the removal of language from the Book of Discipline. The measure passed with a final tally of 692 to 51. Since 1984, the UMC Book of Discipline has banned the ordination of "self-avowed practising homosexuals," with many liberals openly refusing to enforce or follow the restriction.

In the past years, attempts to modify the regulations at the General Conference were unsuccessful. However, several theological liberal leaders within the United Methodist Church have disregarded the rules and authorized the ordination of individuals who were in same-sex relationships and even promoted them to bishop.