Founding Integrity was founded in 1974 by
Louie Crew in rural
Georgia, US. Crew, who was on a teaching fellowship in
San Francisco, California, telephoned the reportedly progressive
Grace Episcopal Cathedral, asking if they could help him and his
partner meet other gay
Episcopalians. The derisive laughter he heard in response prompted him to start a newsletter to help LGBTQ members of the Episcopal Church support each other in a hostile ecclesiastical environment. Crew wrote in the lead editorial:Integrity derives from integer, Latin for 'entire.' All Christian wholeness demands affirmation of God ordained sexuality; and gays and straights alike are Charged with the responsibility of using their sexuality in healthy human sharing rather than perversely trying to change or exchange the Gift of God. Often working in coalition with both
secular and other faith-based groups, Integrity worked for
equal protection and opportunity for LGBTQ Episcopalians. Integrity sponsored the Integrity
Eucharist at the
General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which was one of the most well-attended related events to take place during each General Convention. In 2010, the group lobbied the
US Congress in support of the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), and in 2021 declared its support for the
Equality Act.
Financial mismanagement allegations A 2019 report by Egan Millard of the Episcopal News Service described the President's leadership as marked by "instability and uncertainty," and reported Integrity had $516,152 in
net assets at the start of 2013, and was taking in over $200,000 per year for the preceding several years. By 2015, the last year it filed a full
tax return to the US
Internal Revenue Service, the group' reported net assets were reported to be $134,029. Between March 2019 and June 2019, three Integrity USA board members resigned, leaving only one elected board member, and by October 2019, Integrity USA was described by Millard as "a shadow of its former self, beset by struggles with leadership, finances, and communication," and the board's term was reported to be defined by "instability and uncertainty." and Integrity USA's address changed to
Kinston, North Carolina, the seat of the
Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. In December 2019, amid allegations of mismanagement, Integrity USA's president resigned, citing the need to spend more time with her family. Integrity USA Founder Louie Crew Clay died two days later, on November 27, 2019.
Final board election In early 2020, Egan Millard of Episcopal News Service reported that Integrity USA's board election was "plagued by controversy." Integrity USA's board declined to name who would be voting in an election for the nonprofit's next president, and "did not include an opportunity to write in an alternative candidate, which is mandated by Integrity's bylaws – an omission that further frustrated some members." According to Millard, Integrity USA's Secretary Ellis Montes As further appointments to the organization's board were made in what some members felt were in contravention of the nonprofit corporation's
by-laws, the legitimacy of Integrity USA's leadership and future elections were placed in doubt by some remaining membership. ==See also==