The Church of Social India opposes the death penalty. In 2013, the CSI consecrated its first female bishop, Eggoni Pushpalalitha. The Church of South India, since 1984, has allowed women's ordination. Additionally, "it has taken up issues of gender, dalits and landlessness." In 2008, CSI supported the conservative faction of the Anglican Church—Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON)—on the battle over allowing gay clergy. Indian bishops sided with traditionalists on the issue of homosexuality. The church does not ordain clergy in same-sex relationships. However, in 2015, St. Mark's Cathedral in Bangalore hosted an event, co-led by the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar, aimed at denouncing homophobia. CSI clergy, working with the National Council of Churches in India, also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia. Currently, the Church of South India is also listed as among the Anglican provinces open to blessing same-sex couples. In August 2016, the CSI's publication expressed concern that the "Christian church and Christian mission to a large extent are homophobic. It has excluded the gender minorities from the church and its worship". In 2016, a seminary affiliated with the CSI offered a seminar on LGBT issues. "The Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in Madurai held a two-hour seminar on gender and sexuality..." The church has confirmed that transgender persons may be ordained as clergy. On transgender issues, the Diocese of Madras has a ministry specifically for transgender people. Moreover, the CSI has opened up ordained ministry to transgender clergy. In 2012, the denomination invited a transgender pastor to preach. The CSI also published resources for special Sunday celebrations for transgender people including an invitation for transgender members to preach in churches. The Department of Mission and Evangelism of the CSI Synod stated their position that, "It is our bounden duty to declare our solidarity through the constant accompaniment towards the broken communities like Adivasi-Dalit, LGBTQ, and other less-privileged and underprivileged communities." The church, via its monthly publication, has also taken a stance of solidarity with the Dalit community, women, and the LGBT community. One ministry, led by a priest, "took a session on 'working towards an inclusive Church' with special reference to the transgenders", and the church celebrates the "self-liberation" of the Dalit community. Additionally, the church's publication stated that "the Church leaders expressed their concerns about the neglected people such as LGBT and those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS...[and] urged the listeners(Church Leaders)...[to] not only show solidarity