Reaction has been swift and predictable to what happened in Minneapolis last week, with more conservative church members feeling disgruntled and progressives bursting with joy. But one Bay Area Lutheran-raised queer activist is also beaming with pride now that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, meeting in convention, has officially lifted its 20-year ban against ministers who are in same-gender relationships and has opened the door to blessing committed same-gender relationships.

Previously, only celibate gay and lesbian clergy have been considered for ordination by the denomination.

"I am really proud of them," said Mark Snyder, who lives in downtown San Francisco. "I think it's going to make a huge difference for the youth in the church, especially for the gay youth who are struggling to be accepted." He added, "This will prevent queer youth who are Lutheran from committing suicide. There's no doubt in my mind."

Snyder is a founder and current blogger for http://www.queertoday.com, an online activist organization.

Snyder, who also serves as communication coordinator for the local Our Family Coalition, does not consider himself Lutheran any more, let alone a believer. And yet, during a recent telephone interview, Snyder, who was raised in a rural Pennsylvania county bearing his last name, still holds fond memories of his youth.

"I enjoyed going to church as a small child," he said. "And I understand the church is important to the families and community where I was raised."

While growing up, moreover, Snyder's mother and father were active in the Lutheran Church, both having attended previous conventions, each parent always voting pro-gay.

"But this is the first year that we won," Snyder said.

And this time, Snyder's mother Lana Snyder, a voting member of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, again cast her lot with pro-gay, progressive Lutherans.

"My experience at the convention was marvelous," she said. "It was a very big deal to me to be part of a church that will in all respects offer full membership to gay and lesbian people."

A local Lutheran minister feels the same way. As the Reverend Megan Roher of San Francisco told the New York Times , "To be a full member of the church is a lifelong dream."

"I don't have to have an asterisk next to my name anymore," added Roher, who is in a committed same-sex relationship and serves in three Lutheran congregations. Until now she has not been listed officially on the church's roster of clergy.

Every vote counts

Sometimes, every vote really does count. A case in point came on Wednesday, August 20, during the Lutheran assembly when voting members approved a social statement, calling on ELCA congregations to "welcome, care for, and support same-gender couples." The statement required a two-thirds majority of the convention delegates voting. Titled "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," the social statement passed by a vote of 676-338, precisely the 66.67 percent needed for approval.

"The social statement now forms the basis for policy and advocacy on issues related to families and sexuality both for ministry and advocacy in the church and society," said Emily Eastwood, executive director for Lutherans Concerned/North America, speaking for Goodsoil, an Evangelical Lutheran LGBT advocacy group.

Indeed, passage of the social statement paved the way for Evangelical Lutherans to adopt a resolution allowing people in "publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships" to serve as official church ministers. The ministry resolution passed by a vote of 559-451. Unlike the social statement, it only required a simple-majority vote for passage.

By its action at the Minneapolis convention, the 4.6 million-member Lutheran Church, with a primarily Midwest base, becomes the largest mainline Protestant denomination to throw down an official welcome mat to gay and lesbian clergy and laity.

Reaction among secular LGBT activists couldn't be more enthusiastic.

"By allowing for same-sex couples in committed relationships to serve their call to ministry and by creating policies that respect LGBT people in their congregations, ELCA is modeling for other religious communities what it means to be a faith community that honors all of God's children," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "This is a joyous day for the LGBT Lutherans who no longer have to choose between their spirituality and their sexuality."

Speaking the language of faith, HRCÕs religion and faith director, Harry Knox said, "The Holy Spirit has moved powerfully in the community called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, working through the courageous advocacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and our allies. The ELCA has studied, prayed, and listened to the witness of its LGBT sisters and brothers, and has come to consensus in community. This decision reflects the best of Lutheran tradition."