Church Denied Insurance Because of Pro Gay Rights Stance

A company calling itself Brotherhood Mutual Insurance has refused to provide a quote for a small church in Michigan because the denomination affirms the rights of gays and lesbians. The big surprise was that the company solicited the church’s business initially.

Brotherhood Mutual told the West Adrian United Church of Christ that their stance for equality for GLBT people made the church a “higher risk” for liability insurance and therefore unacceptable.

Marci J. Fretz, a regional underwriter for Brotherhood Mutual wrote in a letter to the church, "Our company's decision to not submit a quote to your organization arose out of information that was supplied in a supplemental application, indicating that your organization 'publicly endorses or practices the marriage of same-sex couples' and 'publicly endorses or practices the ordination of the homosexual clergy.'"

This refusal is even though the small 100 person congregation is not even listed as a “welcoming and affirming” congregation in the UCC church listings. The church does already have insurance with another company.

This little kerfuffle illustrates the depth of bigotry against GLBT people in this country and also shows the very real risks congregations take when they move to affirm GLBT rights. As a member of a United Church of Christ congregation here in Dallas, I appreciate the stand that the UCC denomination took when it came out for GLBT rights, and for that I will be eternally grateful.