MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has officially ordained a 56-year-old Wisconsin man as its first openly gay minister.
Scott Anderson of Madison was ordained Saturday at Covenant Presbyterian Church during a ceremony attended by hundreds of supporters.
He said he never thought the day would come and he told WISC-TV he's humbled and grateful for the opportunity.
Anderson served as a minister in Sacramento, California, from 1983 to 1990. He was in the closet, but when a couple threatened to reveal he was gay he came out to his congregation and then resigned.
But the situation changed last year when the Presbyterian national assembly agreed to remove a ban on homosexuals serving as ministers, clearing the way for his ordination.
Supporter Nancy Enderle says the ordination was an "uplifting, joyful gathering."