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Home » Video » Rev. Steve Sabin - Gay Lutheran Minister in Iowa

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Rev. Steve Sabin - Gay Lutheran Minister in Iowa

Duration: 07:35

In 1998, Steve Sabin became a well-known name in central Iowa when it became public that he was gay and had a partner. The reason why this became so public was because Steve Sabin was a Lutheran minister.

In the Lutheran denomination, ministers can be gay, but cannot have sex with anyone they're not married to. Because gay marriage is not allowed, Steve was asked to resign by Iowa Bishop Phil Hougen. He refused.

Steve's congregation, the Lord of Life church in Ames, supported his decision.
However, Steve's name was removed from the Lutheran minister roster list after a hearing.

Steve Sabin is no longer a minister at the Lord of Life. He moved to San Francisco to serve a church there. However, he did not leave Ames because of the ordeal he and his congregation went through.

In 2001, Iowa Public Television spoke with Steve off camera before he left, but wanted to do a story discussing the aftermath of Steve's story and talk with others including parishioners from his church and Iowa Bishop Phil Hougen about the climate of gay clergy in Iowa.

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Post Date: December 5, 2008