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| Record Creator: | Barnett, Velma Jean |
| Title: | Velma Jean (Jeanne) Barnett Papers |
| Date Span: | 1947-2006 |
| Abstract: | The Velma Jean (Jeanne) Barnett papers documents her life as a career professional, active United Methodist, and lesbian coming out at the age of fifty years old. It is within this context along with her love, commitment and Holy Union with Ellie Charlton accelerated the hotly contested discussion for gay rights, full inclusion and structural change within United Methodism. Aside from Jeanne and Ellie's early reluctance to become iconic figures in the ongoing homosexuality debate within the church for full inclusion of gays into the life of United Methodism eventully they embraced their advocacy on behalf of gay Methodists. Documentation illustrate how various pro-gay groups such as Affirmation and Reconciling Ministries Network within The United Methodist Church along with outside groups such as Soulforce and PFLA provided support for Holy Union and the aftermath of anti-gay criticism. The aservice of Holy Union included officiating individuals such as bishops and clergy, of which sixty-eight were from Jeanne and Eliie's home annual conference. The subsequent firestorm brought on by more traditional United Methodists who saw the act by the church's clergy was a direct violation of the Book of Discipline which forbade such acts. There were demands that participating United Methodist clergy, including the bishops, were to put on church trial and punished accordingly. When legal satisfaction did not meet conservative expectations the tensions over full gay inclusion within church's identity became even more polarizing on both sides as time passed and continued to reverberate until it exploded at the special February 2019 General Conference. |
| Extent: | 4.49 cubic feet |
| Identification: | drew.ms.gcah4402 |
Velma Jean (Jeanne) Barnett (1930-2003), United Methodist layperson, was born to Earnest I. and Faye Ann Hudson Barnett on May 28, 1930 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. Barnett grew up in a Southern Methodist home and became active her local church's ministries. Church responsibilities included vice president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship during high school, leading Sunday evening worship, overseeing various discussion groups as well as an adult coordinator and teacher for Sunday School adult classes. Barnett continued to serve in important leadership positions in later local churches, California-Nevada Annual Conference and general church levels.
Eventually her family moved to Phoenix where Jeanne graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1948. Upon graduation she attended Phoenix College, Stockton College, College of the Pacific in Stockton and finally graduating in 1952 from the University of Tulsa with a B.A. degree. Sports, especially basketball, were an important part of her life. She played first string on both her high school and the University of Tulsa varsity teams. Barnett's love of sports continued well beyond her playing days by enthusiastically followed California based professional teams.
Barnett's career in the California Employment Development Department spanned thirty-two years. She started as a trainee in 1959 and would retire in 1991 as Chief of the Labor Market Division. Her responsibilities included areas of employment, unemployment insurance and labor market. Barnett supervised the work of thousands of employees while overseeing multimillion dollar operational budgets by with each subsequent promotion. Her real talent at work manifested itself in motivating, understanding and mentoring staff members.
By 1969, Jeanne joined St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Sacramento, California. During her time at the church she served as chair or member of the Education Committee, Council on Ministries, Administrative Board, Staff-Parish Relations Committee and Lay Member which automatically made her a delegate to Annual Conference. At the age of fifty-one, Jeanne realized she was a lesbian and was accepted as such in St. Mark's, a reconciling congregation and part of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. Barnett would later serve as a leading member of the 1988 General Conference Committee to Study Homosexuality. She was the only lesbian to serve on the committee. At the next General Conference in 1992 Jeanne personally presented the committee's findings report to the body.
Ellie Charlton, Barnett's partner, recognized her own lesbianism later in life as well. Like most young women during the 1950s she married right out of high school. The marriage produced three children. By1982, Ellie separated from her husband and three years later they would divorce. Ellie joined the Rancho Cordova Methodist Church in 1962 and became active by holding various leadership positions. True to form Ellie later held leadership positions as a member of St. Mark's. Charlton was also active in United Methodist Women and served as both president and district officer. Eventually St. Mark's church elected her as one of their lay leaders which automatically qualified her as a delegate to California-Nevada Annual Conference meetings.
Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton would fall in love after meeting at a potluck dinner in 1982. Together they would buy a house in Sacramento two years later. Both were active in the United Methodist Church's Affirmation Caucus. Jeanne would serve as one of the official spokespersons for Affirmation between 1993 and 1994 while Ellie served as committee treasurer from 1991 to 1995. The couple also worked with similar organizations to educate and promote full inclusion and identity within the denomination and larger society.
For United Methodists they are best known for their Holy Union ceremony on January 16, 1999. The service would serve as a visual statement on same sex fidelity and commitment. More than one hundred and fifty lay and clergy members participated in the ceremony. Of the one hundred and fifty officiants, sixty-eight were California-Nevada United Methodist clergy. The Holy Union service became a firestorm in the ongoing homosexuality debate within the denomination. Because of the large attendance, and unable to use St. Mark's sanctuary for their ceremony due to restrictions against gay union services in local church buildings as set forth in The Book of Discipline, the event took place at the Sacramento Convention Center. Those who were unable to get tickets to witness the ceremony encircled the building's parameter by holding hands in order to protect the couple from interference by anti-gay protestors.
The event would eventually be covered by worldwide media outlets. As a result the participating California-Nevada Annual Conference clergy would face a Committee on Investigation as a precursor for trials to strip their clergy credentials. The committee decided against such trials which caused conservative United Methodists to become more vocal condemning homosexuality and breaking church laws as set forth by the Book of Discipline. Other United Methodist clergy from additional annual conferences who either attended or gave absentia support would face similar charges. Barnett and Charlton would go on to become the faces of LGBTQIA+ Methodists in the fight for full inclusion.
Barnett died on October 1, 2003. Her funeral was held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Jeanne's life and death document her and Ellie's prophetic voices within United Methodism and the larger community.
The Barnett papers revolve around the couple’s 1999 Holy Union ceremony. The documents related to the ceremony are the touchstone for the entire collection. Records cover the planning, financing, the actual ceremony, subsequent anniversaries, media coverage, correspondence which triggered a greater polarization on the issue of gay rights within United Methodism.
The collection also provides a narrative on how Barnett came to this point in her life and how it changed the couple’s lives afterwards. The documents trace Barnett’s life from birth, education, professional career, church work, gay rights advocacy and death. The researcher will also discover how much Ellie was an equal partner with Jeanne in advancing full inclusion of gays within the United Methodist Church.
Paper files make up most of the physical documentation. There are a few audio and a video recording which deals directly with the Holy Union. Additional documentation includes newspaper and printed digital born clippings, the Affirmation caucus, and printed CORNET listserv posts. It should be noted that Affirmation created CORNET to address unjust practices within The United Methodist Church concerning same gender covenant services through education and dialogue. The clippings file give insight to the how far the news coverage traveled in both secular and church media outlets.
Special attention should be focused on the California-Nevada Annual Conference's Committee on Investigation folder which document the process of resolving charges against sixty-eight clergy members who participated in the Holy Union service. Also recorded is how Bishop Melvin Talbert handled these charges in light of prior Judicial Council rulings coupled with his theological viewpoint on gay covenant services and full inclusion of gays within the denomination. There is also documentation on the couple’s work for the annual conference as well.
Individuals such as James Creech, Gregory Dell, Donald Fado, and Jean Audrey Powers have their own folders but also appear prominently in other records. Support by Reconciling congregations and individual churches in sympathy to the Holy Union and larger gay issues can be found in the collection. There is documentation from of support for the couple from educational or advocacy groups that Barnett and Charlton intersected with over time. Artifacts represent Barnett’s urging for gay rights along with personal and professional life interests. The most important artifact is a paper banner from the Holy Union which attendees wrote on to express their thoughts and prayers for the couple.
The collection documents Barnett’s personal life including a personal testimony about realizing she was gay late in life. Additional materials illustrate the life and love Jeanne and Ellie shared with each other up to Barnett's death.
Finally, the Barnett’s career files bring to light her successful professional life. Recognition of her work is encapsulated by three awards during her career: The Commissioner’s Award for Eminent Achievement from the United States Department of Labor, Toll Trust Award from the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security and Resolution from the California State Job Training Coordinating Council. Jeanne was able to harness those talents church leadership roles throughout the United Methodist connection.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Arranged by folder title or genre.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Jeanne Barnett Papers, Drew Methodist Collection - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Records of the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
Records of the Council of Bishops.
Minutes and General Administrative Records of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church.
Records of Affirmation: United Methodists for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns.
Records of the Order of Saint Luke.
Leontine Tupeau Current Kelly Collection.
Paul Abels Collection.
Records of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.
Administrative records of the Division of Ministry of God's Human Community of the General Board of Church and Society.
Nashville Area Episcopal Records.
Records of the Kansas Episcopal Area.
Records of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Records of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
United Methodist Church (U.S.). General Board of Global Ministries. Mission Education and Cultivation Program Department.
John Vanlandingham Moore Papers
Mississippi Episcopal Area Records.
Position Papers for the Committee to Study Homosexuality.
Records of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
John M. Swomley Papers.
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2152-5-3: 1 | Camp Waluhila - Camp Fire Girls | 1957 |
| 2152-5-3: 2 | Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies - Pacific School of Religion | 2000-2006 |
| 2152-5-3: 3 | Newsletter: CORNET, Folder 1 | 1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 4 | Newsletter: CORNET, Folder 2 | 1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 5 | Newsletter: CORNET, Folder 3 | 1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 6 | Newsletter: CORNET, Folder 4 | 1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 7 | Creech, James | 1998-1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 8 | Declaration of Domestic Partnership | 2000 |
| 2152-5-3: 9 | Dell, Gregory - Broadway United Methodist Church | 1999 |
| 2152-5-3: 10 | Education | 1948-1992 |
| 2152-5-3: 11 | Equal Partners in Faith | 1999 |
| 2152-5-4: 1 | Fado, Donald | 1998-2006 |
| 2152-5-4: 2 | Funeral and Death | 1974-2004 |
| 2152-5-4: 3 | General Conference | 2000 |
| 2152-5-4: 4 | General Correspondence | 2000 |
| 2152-5-4: 5 | General Council on Ministry: Committee to Study Homosexuality, Folder 1 | 1987-1991 |
| 2152-5-4: 6 | General Council on Ministry: Committee to Study Homosexuality, Folder 2 | 1991-1993 |
| 2152-5-4: 7 | Good News, Confessing Movement | 1999-2006 |
| 2152-5-4: 8 | Hanaoka, Nobuaki: The Scriptural Authority and Homosexuality | 1999 |
| 2152-5-4: 9 | Holy Union Anniversaries | 1999-2004 |
| 2152-5-4: 10 | Holy Union Correspondence | 1998-2004 |
| 2152-5-5: 1 | Holy Union Event | 1998-1999 |
| 2152-5-5: 2 | Holy Union Expenses | 1999-2000 |
| 2152-5-5: 3 | Holy Union Event - Supporting Documents, Folder 1 | Undated |
| 2152-5-5: 4 | Holy Union Event - Supporting Documents, Folder 2 | 1998-1999 |
| 2152-5-5: 5 | March on Washington | 1993 |
| 2152-5-5: 6 | Miscellaneous | 1975-2005 |
| 2152-5-5: 7 | National Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders | 1996-1997 |
| 2152-5-5: 8 | Newsletters | 1987-2006 |
| 2152-5-5: 9 | Pearsall, Cordelle | Undated |
| 2152-5-5: 10 | Powers, Jeanne Audrey | 1995-2000 |
| 2152-5-6: 1 | Professional Career, Folder 1 | 1971-2003 |
| 2152-5-6: 2 | Professional Career, Folder 2 | 1975-1991 |
| 2152-5-6: 3 | Reconciling Congregations/Ministries | 1983-2003 |
| 2152-5-6: 4 | Retirement | 1981-1991 |
| 2152-5-6: 5 | St. Mark's United Methodist Church | 1991-2004 |
| 2152-5-6: 6 | Shalom Ministries | 2003 |
| 2152-5-6: 7 | Sophia Controversy | 1995 |
| 2152-5-6: 8 | Soulforce | 1999-2000 |
| 2152-5-6: 9 | Trips | 1972 |
| 2152-5-7: 1 | Cassette: Reconciling Congregations Celebration | 1994 |
| 2152-5-7: 2 | Cassette: Thursday Afternoon Plenary Session | 1994 |
| 2152-5-7: 3 | Cassette: "The State of the Church", Bishop Melvin Talbert | 1999 |
| 2152-5-8: 1 | Bible | 1939 |
| 2151-6-1: 1 | Newspaper Clippings, Folder 1 | 1952-1998 |
| 2151-6-1: 2 | Newspaper Clippings, Folder 2 | 1999 |
| 2151-6-1: 3 | Newspaper Clippings, Folder 3 | 1999 |
| 2151-6-1: 4 | Newspaper: Gay in America | 1989 |
| 2151-6-2: 1 | Artifact: Dr. Deming's Fourteen Points Tote Bag | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 2 | Artifact: Affirmation Bay Area T-shirt | 1988 |
| 2151-6-2: 3 | Artifact: The Stones Will Cry Out! T-shirt | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 4 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 1 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 5 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 2 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 6 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 3 | 1992-1993 |
| 2151-6-2: 7 | Artifact: Los Angeles Lakers Pin 1 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 8 | Artifact: Sacramento Monarchs Pin 1 | 2001 |
| 2151-6-2: 9 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 4 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 10 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 5 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 11 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 6 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 12 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 7 | 1994-1995 |
| 2151-6-2: 13 | Artifact: Sacramento Monarchs Pin 2 | 2002 |
| 2151-6-2: 14 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 8 | 1985 |
| 2151-6-2: 15 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 9 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 16 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 10 | 1996-1997 |
| 2151-7-1: 1 | Artifact: Yarn Banner | 1999 |
| 2151-6-2: 18 | Artifact: NBA Pin | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 19 | Artifact: Hawaii Pin | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 20 | Artifact: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Patch | 1977 |
| 2151-6-2: 21 | Artifact: Sacramento Monarchs Pin 3 | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 23 | Artifact: Reconciling Ministries Network California-Nevada Annual Conference Name Tag and Ribbon | 2000 |
| 2151-6-2: 24 | Artifact: Sacramento Monarchs Pin 4 | 2000 |
| 2151-6-2: 25 | Artifact: Reconciling Congregation Name Tag | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 26 | Artifact: Reconciling Congregation Name Tag and Ribbon | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 22 | Artifact: Los Angeles Dodgers Pin | Undated |
| 2151-6-2: 17 | Artifact: Sacramento Kings Pin 11 | 1993-1994 |
| 2151-7-2: 1 | Certificates and Awards | 1975-1997 |
| 2151-7-2: 2 | Photographs | Undated |
| 2151-7-3: 1 | Artifact: Holy Union Banner with Guest Signatures | 1999 |
| 2151-6-1: 6 | VHS Tape: Holy Union Reunion | 2004 |
