gay rights
Gay and celibate, Ron Belgau is the official face of gay Catholicism for Pope Francis’ visit
By David Gibson — September 14, 2015
(RNS) As the only openly gay person invited to speak about homosexuality during a Vatican-approved World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Belgau is taking heat from both left and right.
Conservative Christians’ new scare word
By Jonathan Merritt — August 31, 2015
In the fight over gay rights, conservative Christians have a new enemy. No, it isn’t a politician or activist or organization. It isn’t a noun at all, in fact, but rather a verb: normalize.
African clergy to protest Obama’s gay-rights ‘agenda’ on trip
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 21, 2015
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Protesters have called for tactics ranging from throwing rotten eggs at the president to encouraging prostitutes to march naked in the streets during his visit.
Gay priest fired from chaplain job asks Pope Francis to meet LGBT Catholics in U.S.
By David Gibson — July 20, 2015
(RNS) The priest said he had never intended to make his sexual orientation an issue or to advocate for gay Catholics. But he said he has decided to welcome the opportunity that the crisis presented him.
India’s debate: Can Hinduism and homosexuality coexist?
By Nathan McDermott — July 8, 2015
(RNS) As India grapples with gay rights, theologians and historians often disagree on whether homosexuality is compatible with Hinduism.
San Francisco archbishop blasts gender transitions as threat to faith
By David Gibson — June 3, 2015
(RNS) Amid the national buzz over transgender celebrity Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone denounced the spread of “gender ideology” and warned that it threatens the very foundation of the church’s faith.
New Jersey priest fired as Seton Hall chaplain comes out as gay
By David Gibson — May 27, 2015
(RNS) The Rev. Warren Hall told Outsports, a magazine for gay athletes, that while he remained committed to his vocation as a priest and to his vow of celibacy, he was not going to hide his sexual orientation.
THE BEST OF RNS: Gil Caldwell, civil rights leader, turns his eye to LGBT rights
By Adelle M. Banks — May 5, 2015
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) "There is a possibility that on gay rights and marriage equality, God is speaking more through the judiciary than God is speaking through the United Methodist Church,” he says.
LGBT Kenyans gain the right to organize, and churches promise to fight
By Fredrick Nzwili — April 29, 2015
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) The nation's highest court ruled that refusing to register a gay rights organization infringed on the constitutional rights of free association for LGBT Kenyans.
Indiana lawmakers agree to amend ‘religious freedom’ law
By Tony Cook — April 2, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS — Senate President Pro Tem David Long said the change will "unequivocably state that Indiana's (religious freedom) law does not and will not be able to discriminate against anyone, anywhere at any time."
Debate over gays in St. Patrick’s parades roils Irish on big day
By David Gibson — March 16, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) The New York parade marches down Fifth Avenue on Tuesday (March 17), the saint’s feast day, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan is facing renewed calls from conservative Catholics to step down as grand marshal.
San Francisco archbishop rejects lawmakers’ criticism on morality clauses
By David Gibson — February 20, 2015
(RNS) The San Francisco archbishop is under fire for morality clauses for Catholic schoolteachers, and a pamphlet distributed to children that asked them about masturbation and abortion.
Catholic League drops out of St. Patrick’s Day parade over row about gays
By David Gibson — September 12, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) The Catholic League will not march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade down Fifth Avenue, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan is still taking most of the heat.
Christian group sanctioned at two dozen college campuses
By Kimberly Winston — September 8, 2014
(RNS) InterVarsity has been challenged on more than 40 college campuses, but California State University, with 23 campuses, is the biggest -- so far.
Gay groups in St. Patrick’s parade all right with N.Y. Cardinal Dolan
By David Gibson — September 3, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) After years of resistance, a group of gays and lesbians will be allowed to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade for the first time under their own banner, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan said he's OK with that.
