Durley Camp Policy Statement regarding LGBTQ Individuals

Durley Camp welcomes all persons, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other distinctions (Acts 10:34-35), and respects them as persons made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Durley Camp is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church USA and is governed by the Free Methodist Book of Discipline and Articles of Religion. We stand in line with the Free Methodist Church in its love of LGBTQ individuals (1 John 4:7), but also in its conviction that same-sex intimacy falls outside God’s plan for sexuality.

When the Bible speaks against homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9), it refers to behavior, the heart, and the primary “identity”, not a temptation or an attraction. The “heart” and “primary identity” are God’s to judge, but people can identify “behaviors.” We encourage persons who identify as LGBTQ to participate fully in the camping program, with the understanding that sexual behavior not in line with Biblical standards (both gay and straight) is not allowed. Durley Camp reserves the right to monitor and limit the behavior of individuals while at camp, in keeping with Biblical guidelines and the Free Methodist Book of Discipline.

In dealing with transgender campers Durley Camp wants to be sensitive to both their needs and also the needs of the other campers with whom they are interacting. Issues such as restrooms and lodging can create unique challenges. Transgender campers who have fully transitioned physically* will be housed with their new gender of identification. For transgender campers who have not fully transitioned physically we want to be sensitive and caring both for their comfort levels and the comfort level of others.

In contrast to God’s word which does not change, the LGBTQ community and our culture in general are changing rapidly, with issues and understandings expanding and adapting frequently. While God’s word is always our authority, no policy statement or written guideline is comprehensive enough to deal with every situation. We affirm that acting out of love is always Jesus’ way (1 John 3:16). Therefore, we will seek to show the love of Jesus to every person who comes on the grounds and in every situation where there might be disagreement or lack of clarity.

When providing housing for a transgender camper, we will make decisions in conversation with the camper and their parents. We will also take into consideration the other campers on the grounds and the feelings of their parents. Thus, housing and restroom determinations will be made on a case by case basis, with the Durley Camp Director and (if needed) area Free Methodist pastors helping to make decisions.

Durley Camp staff members are expected to abide by the standards of the Free Methodist Church while serving as staff and should not in any way disparage these standards to campers or other staff. This includes what is expressed through words, actions and apparel.

*We define ‘fully transitioned physically’ for a cisgender male to be a minimum of orchiectomy and vaginoplasty and for a cisgender female to be a minimum of vaginectomy, phalloplasty and scrotoplasty.

Approved 4/13/2023