Nancy L. Wilson (born 1950) is an American cleric who served as the moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Under Wilson's leadership, the denomination became known as "The Human Rights Church" in many parts of the world for its commitment to same-sex marriage, employment and housing non-discrimination laws. Election Wilson was elected moderator of the denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) by the church's general conference in Calgary, Alberta, in July 2005. In accordance with the bylaws of the Metropolitan Community Churches, Wilson's name was placed in nomination by the denomination's Moderators Nominating Committee and her nomination was ratified with the overwhelming endorsement of the lay and clergy voting delegates to the 2005 MCC General Conference. Wilson was installed as moderator at the Washington National Cathedral in 2005. in succession to the denomination's founder, Troy Perry. Wilson retired from her position in October 2016, and was succeeded by an interim moderator, the Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown. Under Wilson's leadership the denomination deepened its long-standing commitment to Christian social justice, becoming known as "The Human Rights Church" in many parts of the world for its human rights work in Eastern Europe, Jamaica, and Latin and South America and for its commitment to same-sex marriage, employment and housing non-discrimination laws, legal protections for persons with HIV/AIDS, and the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within communities of faith. Wilson is the second person, and the first woman, to serve as moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches. The Metropolitan Community Church was founded in 1968. Biography Wilson has a long record of service with the Metropolitan Community Church. She was the youngest person ever elected to the MCC Board of Elders in 1976 and served on the board of elders ever since except for a break between 2003 and 2005. Wilson resides with her wife of 33 years, Paula Schoenwether. They both actively work for same-sex marriage equality, having married each other in Massachusetts. Wilson and Schoenwether were the plaintiffs in Wilson v. Ake, 354 F. Supp. 1298, in which they asked a Florida District Court to hold that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. The court denied relief and held that DOMA was constitutional. Wilson attended a Methodist church and Sunday school in her youth. Education and experience Wilson received her undergraduate degree from Allegheny College in 1972 before going on to study at