Gender & Sexuality
17 LGBTQ-affirming ministers face church investigations for signing belief statement
By Kathryn Post — March 27, 2024
(RNS) — The investigation by Indiana Ministries — a jurisdiction within the Anderson, Indiana-based Church of God movement — could result in the withdrawal of the ministers’ credentials.
Study: Unaffiliated Americans are the only growing religious group
By Yonat Shimron — March 27, 2024
(RNS) — The Catholic Church saw the largest decline in religious affiliation of any religious group in 2023.
BYU’s LGBTQ students spotlighted in new grassroots documentary
By Kathryn Post — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — 'A Long Way From Heaven,' which debuts at a private premiere this week, was developed in secret over the last three years.
Hindu women look to ancient goddesses for guidance on modern feminism
By Richa Karmarkar — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Many point to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, as an antidote to toxic masculinity.
Poll shows slight dip in US support for LGBTQ rights across religious groups
By Kathryn Post — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — A strong majority of Americans, and majorities of many religious groups, still broadly support LGBTQ rights.
In rights landmark, Greek novelist and lawyer are the first same-sex couple wed at Athens city hall
By Associated Press — March 11, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A cross-party majority of Greek lawmakers approved same-sex marriage in a vote on Feb. 15, despite strong opposition from the socially conservative Orthodox Church.
What is a frozen embryo worth? Alabama’s IVF case reflects bigger questions over grieving and wrongful death laws
By Katherine Drabiak — March 11, 2024
(The Conversation) — Alabama’s case began when three couples sued an IVF clinic where their frozen embryos had accidentally been dropped.
Church authorities in Greece slap religious ban on local politicians who backed same-sex marriage
By Associated Press — March 6, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Church authorities on the northwestern island of Corfu accused the two opposition lawmakers of committing “the deepest spiritual and moral error” in voting for the law, which was approved with cross-party support on Feb. 15.
Georgia Republicans say religious liberty needs protection, but Democrats warn of discrimination
By Jeff Amy — March 1, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — Opponents warn that people and private groups will use the law to do things like deny birth control coverage to their employees, and that the legislation could blow holes in local laws that ban discrimination.
Backlash to trans activist’s St. Patrick’s funeral reveals deep fault lines
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Both Cecilia Gentili’s friends and family and Cardinal Timothy Dolan said they felt 'disrespect' from the other group.
Ministry accused of covert conversion therapy moves across from Adventist university
By Kathryn Post — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Coming Out Ministries, which promotes freedom from the 'chains of homosexuality,' is setting up its headquarters across from Andrews University in the hopes of reaching students.
Georgia bill aims to protect religious liberty. Opponents say it’s a license to discriminate
By Jeff Amy — February 23, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — That religious protection bill resurfaced Thursday eight years after lawmakers passed a different version of the measure.
Georgia GOP senators seek to ban sexually explicit books from school libraries, reduce sex education
By Jeff Amy — February 22, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — The measure passed by the Education Committee would ban distribution of any sexual materials to students in sixth grade and below and restrict them for seventh grade and above.
Despite reforms, victims say church’s in-house processes to handle sex abuse cases retraumatizes
By Nicole Winfield — February 21, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Despite new church laws to hold bishops accountable and promises to do better, the Catholic Church’s in-house legal system and pastoral response to victims has proven incapable of dealing with the problem.
New York Archdiocese denounces transgender activist’s funeral held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
By Brian P. D. Hannon — February 19, 2024
(AP) — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, which was held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan and drew a large audience on Thursday.
