Lutherans Nearing Key Vote on Gays' Role
By RACHEL ZOLL
The Associated Press
Friday, August 12, 2005; 4:58 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America spent three years researching whether the denomination should ordain gays or bless same-sex unions.
On Friday, recommendations from the panel could be up for a vote by more than 1,000 delegates to a national churchwide assembly.

The proposals are meant as a compromise, aiming to uphold Lutheran restrictions on gays and lesbians who are not celibate, while allowing congregations and bishops to make exceptions in some cases without risking discipline.

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