Rev. Barbara Lundblad reflects on her experiences as a lesbian pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. In 2009, the ELCA voted to allow the ordination of candidates in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships." “For me it’s been a breath of fresh air, it has meant that I don’t have to be afraid or ashamed of talking about Nicole and Sam,” Lundblad said, referring to her partner and her son.