Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, thanked the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church leaders for their support.
In a speech delivered at the church’s 52nd quadrennial conference in Columbus, Ohio, Harris emphasised her commitment to advancing the nation, particularly for the church’s members.
However, her remarks came on the same day that AME Church leaders voted to maintain their longstanding ban on same-sex marriage. This position starkly contrasts with the official stance of the Democratic Party.
During her address, Harris criticised Republicans for attempting to revert the country to the past, stressing the importance of moving forward. “We face a choice between two very different visions for the future of our nation. One, ours, is focused on the future. The other is focused on the past,” Harris stated. But we are not going back.”
The AME Church, a predominantly Black denomination with deep historical roots in the U.S., was formed in response to racial discrimination in the Methodist church in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While the church’s membership is overwhelmingly Democratic, with 92% identifying as such, according to Pew Research, its leadership remains opposed to same-sex marriage. This stance has been reaffirmed since 2004 and was underscored by the recent vote.
Despite this divide, Harris avoided addressing the LGBTQ issue directly during her speech, focusing on broader topics such as economic justice, health, and religious liberty.
She also urged the congregants to continue their efforts to advance the nation, drawing on faith teachings.
Harris’s campaign has yet to comment on whether she was aware of the AME Church’s position on gay marriage before her message to the conference. Meanwhile, Republicans have accused Harris of shifting her policy positions for political gain, branding her a “political chameleon.”
As the election approaches, Harris has described it as “the most consequential election of our lifetime,” thanking the AME Church leaders for their support and urging them to continue their get-out-the-vote efforts.
