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How did the Episcopal Church change its marriage rites in 2015?

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The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., features Gothic-style architecture with tall towers, pointed arches, and a large rose window above the main entrance. — The Episcopal Church Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

In 2015, the Episcopal Church took a significant step toward inclusivity by formally voting to allow religious weddings for same-sex couples. During its 78th General Convention, the church moved to abandon canonical language that had previously defined marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman.12

To implement this change, the church adopted two new marriage rites that were authorized for use by both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This decision was the culmination of a decades-long internal conversation regarding the church's stance on same-sex unions and gay rights. The vote, which passed overwhelmingly in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, occurred shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. While this action solidified the church's commitment to equality, it also led to further tensions within the broader Anglican Communion, which subsequently imposed sanctions on the Episcopal Church in 2016.21