Franklyn "Frank" Schaefer (born December 7, 1961) is a German-American author and an

LGBTQ LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...

advocate. He is an ordained minister in the

United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant Christian denomination, denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was ...

. Schaefer established a popular Internet site for the support of Christian educators and ministers, a forum for the discussion and exchange of resources, called Desperate Preacher's Site, in 1996.

Temporary defrocking

In 2013, he was tried by a United Methodist court for officiating at his son's

same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal Legal sex and gender, sex. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.5 ...

. He was

defrocked Defrocking, unfrocking, degradation, or laicization of clergy is the removal of their rights to exercise the functions of the ordained ministry. It may be grounded on criminal convictions, disciplinary problems, or disagreements over doctrine or ...

on December 19, 2013, when he refused to uphold the

Book of Discipline A Book of Discipline (or in its shortened form Discipline) is a book detailing the beliefs, standards, doctrines, canon law, and polity of a particular Christian denomination. They are often re-written by the governing body of the church concern ...

in its entirety, which would have meant to denounce same-sex marriage rights. He was reinstated by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals on June 26, 2014. The restoration was upheld by the Judicial Council on October 25, 2014.)

Speaking engagements and activism

While defrocked, Schaefer became a speaker and activist. He continues to advocate for human rights while also working in a new United Methodist parish in

Isla Vista, California Isla Vista ( ; , "Island View") is an Unincorporated area#United States, unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California, in the United States. As of 2020 census, the community had a population of 15,500. For statistical purposes, ...

Publications

Bibliography

* Franklyn Schaefer: ''Defrocked: How A Father's Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church'', Autobiography, paperback (with Sherri Wood Emmons), Chalice Press, 2014.

Filmography

Schaefer has been interviewed on the TV shows ''

Good Morning America ''Good Morning America'', often abbreviated as ''GMA'', is an American breakfast television, morning television program that is broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC. It debuted on November 3, 1975, and first expanded to weekends wit ...

'', ''

The View ''The View'' is an American talk show created by broadcast journalist Barbara Walters. , in its 28th season, the show has aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC as part of the network's ABC Daytime, daytime programming block since August ...

'', ''

Hardball with Chris Matthews ''Hardball with Chris Matthews'' is an American television talk show hosted by Chris Matthews. The program premiered on the now-defunct America's Talking network in 1994 (as ''Politics with Chris Matthews'') before moving to CNBC, and then to M ...

'', ''

Anderson Cooper 360° ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' (commonly shortened to either ''AC-360'' or ''360'') is an American television news show on CNN and CNN International, hosted by CNN journalist and news anchor Anderson Cooper. Current segments include ‘Reality Check ...

'', ''

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell ''The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell'' is an American weeknight news and political commentary program on MSNBC. The program airs live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time Mondays through Fridays, and is hosted by Lawrence O'Donnell from Mondays to ...

'', and ''

TakePart Live TakePart was a website operated by Participant Media, a motion picture studio that focuses on issues of social justice. TakePart was founded in 2008 to promote Participant Media's films as well as make viewers aware of the social advocacy efforts ...

'', and for the documentary '' An Act of Love''.

Discography

* Franklyn Schaefer: ''Guitar Reflections: Then & Now'', audio CD (instrumental, folk) JavaCasa Music, 2013. * Franklyn Schaefer: ''Love Like An Ocean'', audio CD (Contemporary Christian) JavaCasa Music, 2011. * Franklyn Schaefer: ''Keep On Smiling'', audio CD (Contemporary Country) JavaCasa Music, 2008.

References

External links

official websiteblog by Rev. Frank SchaeferUnited Methodist Website "Coverage Summary: Frank Schaefer Case"Reconciling Ministries Network Blog "Rev. Frank Schaefer - Facts and Media Coverage"

"Defrocked" by Franklyn Schaefer on Amazon.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schaefer, Frank American LGBTQ rights activists Living people Methodist ministers American male writers People from Isla Vista, California 1961 births