Over 100 Omaha-area pastors call for end to anti-LGBT religious discrimination

More than 100 Omaha Christian ministers fed up with the stereotype that Christians are anti-LGBT have signed a proclamation calling for an end to religious and civil discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The proclamation was started by Rev. Eric Elnes, minister at the 1,500 members strong Countryside Community Church. Leaders from Lutheran, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Methodist and Presbyterian churches are among those to have signed the document.

"We believe homosexuality is not a sin," Elnes explained to KETV. "It’s not a birth defect or a choice. God created people this way. And if God created them this way, they need to be honored for who they are, and fully included in church life and wider society."

The proclamation also apologizes to the LGBT community for remaining silent about religious discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the past.

"Some of us have not always been on this side of the issue,” Elnes said.

Local ministers will publicly unveil the proclamation Wednesday evening.