Ellen Barrett
From QueerBio.com
Country
United States
Birth - Death
1946 -
Occupation
Religion
Description
Episcopal priest, and the first open lesbian to be ordained (1977), after being a deacon (1975). Scholar specializing in medieval monastic history. Ordination was met with protest both within and without the church, which led to a change in the ordination process whereby a bishop can decline to ordain an individual based on their conscience. Served as Episcopal cleric in a variety of city and suburban parishes, beginning her career in Berkeley, California and eventually settling in dioceses in the New York and New Jersey areas (1975-2005). Co-presidents of Integrity, a non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Episcopalians (1974-1975).