Gender & Sexuality
Vatican says no heresy in allowing blessings for same-sex couples after pushback by some bishops
By Frances D'emilio — January 4, 2024
ROME (AP) — After pushback by some bishops in Africa, Poland and elsewhere, the Vatican on Thursday defended the recent move by Pope Francis to allow blessings for same-sex couples.
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church
By Derek Gatopoulos — December 22, 2023
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house's current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
By Nicole Winfield — December 21, 2023
ROME (AP) —The pope's decision to officially spell out his approval could send a message of tolerance to places where gay rights are far more restricted.
As Russia ramps up ‘traditional values’ rhetoric − especially against LGBTQ+ groups − it’s won Putin far-right fans abroad
By Sarah Riccardi-Swartz — December 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — Far-right American Christians once viewed Soviet culture as a menace to their values. Today, some authoritarian-leaning admirers wish their country were more like Putin’s Russia.
Pope Francis’ approval of blessings for LGBTQ+ couples is a historic gesture, according to a Catholic theologian
By Steven P. Millies — December 20, 2023
(The Conversation) — In emphasizing the church’s love for all, including people in LGBTQ+ relationships, the pope has sidestepped thorny doctrinal issues.
One fourth of United Methodist churches in US have left in schism over LGBTQ ban. What happens now?
By Peter Smith — December 15, 2023
The vast majority are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.
Abilene Christian University to revisit sexuality policy after ‘Holy Sexuality Week’
By Kathryn Post — December 13, 2023
(RNS) — Over 2,000 students, alumni and friends of the university signed a letter claiming the event included one-sided, exclusionary messages about LGBTQ people.
Indiana’s appeals court hears arguments challenging abortion ban under a state religious freedom law
By Isabella Volmert — December 7, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The lawsuit argues the ban violates Jewish teachings that “a fetus attains the status of a living person only at birth."
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New documentary tells the story of queer religious families in the Midwest
By Fiona André — December 4, 2023
(RNS) — The movie profiles queer families and individuals living in the Midwest, grappling with their identity in a conservative and traditional environment.
A film sheds light on 11 daring women whose defiant act changed the Episcopal Church
By Yonat Shimron — November 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘The Philadelphia Eleven’ depicts the buildup toward the so-called irregular ordination at which four bishops ordained 11 women as priests without the denomination’s approval.
For this group of trans women, the pope and his message of inclusivity are a welcome change
By Trisha Thomas and Nicole Winfield — November 21, 2023
TORVAIANICA, Italy (AP) — For the marginalized trans community of Torvaianica, it was just the latest gesture of inclusion from a pope who has made reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community a hallmark of his papacy.
#UsToo: How antisemitism and Islamophobia make reporting sexual misconduct and abuse of power harder for Jewish and Muslim women
By Keren McGinity — October 17, 2023
(The Conversation) — In minority faith groups that already face hate, women who have experienced harassment sometimes fear bringing negative attention to their community.
In new book, James Baldwin emerges as a prophet for our time
By Yonat Shimron — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — Greg Garrett, a professor at Baylor University, wants to introduce a new generation of readers to the writer of short stories, novels and plays who believed America can do better.
Seattle Pacific University targets LGBTQ displays with new policy, say critics
By Kathryn Post — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — The new display policy permits freedom of expression within faculty and staff offices.
A fifth of Mormon college students in the US say they’re LGBQ, new study shows
By Jana Riess — September 22, 2023
(RNS) — Among US Mormon college students, 78% said they were heterosexual and 22% identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or something else.
