Gender & Sexuality
Jesuits in US bolster outreach initiative aimed at encouraging LGBTQ+ Catholics
By David Crary — February 6, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Pope Francis, a Jesuit who has met with Martin and sent letters of support to Outreach, has made clear he favors a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ people.
Fuller seminary senior director fired for refusal to sign non-LGBTQ affirming statement
By Kathryn Post — February 2, 2024
(RNS) — Her termination comes as the evangelical, multidenominational seminary is re-visiting its approach to human sexuality.
CVS employee fired for refusing to sell birth control sues, claiming discrimination
By Fiona André — January 31, 2024
(RNS) — Gunna Kristofersdottir joins three other former CVS nurses who sued the company for religious discrimination after being fired for similar reasons.
Catholic clergy in Uganda accuse the West of a new colonialism through LGBTQ activism
By Tonny Onyulo — January 25, 2024
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — Most Ugandan Catholics oppose Pope Francis' recent move to allow priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples.
UN concerned over Taliban arrests of Afghan women and girls for alleged Islamic headscarf violations
By Associated Press — January 12, 2024
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The U.N. statement said hijab-enforcing campaigns in the capital, Kabul, and the province of Daykundi have been ongoing since Jan. 1, with large numbers of women and girls warned and detained.
Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will
By Nicole Winfield — January 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The controversy has deepened a growing chasm between Francis’ progressive, reform-minded papacy and the conservative church in much of the world
Wheaton College restricts employees’ ability to state preferred pronouns
By Kathryn Post — January 10, 2024
(RNS) — Updates to the policy do not appear to explicitly prohibit students from using or stating preferred pronouns, including they/them pronouns.
How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations
By David Crary — January 9, 2024
Strikingly, the flare-up of debate in Catholic ranks coincides with developments in two other international Christian denominations that are fracturing over differences in LGBTQ-related policies.
Vatican’s doctrine chief is raising eyebrows over his 1998 book that graphically describes orgasms
By Nicole Winfield — January 9, 2024
ROME (AP) — “The Mystical Passion,” published in Mexico in 1998, is a short expose about mystical-sensual experiences with God.
Prominent Black church in New York sued for gender bias by woman who sought to be its senior pastor
By Darren Sands — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Along with the church, the lawsuit specifically names the search committee chair, Valerie S. Grant, accusing her of behaving inappropriately by asking Marshall Turman questions and pressing issues not broached with her male counterparts.
The Lotus Sutra − an ancient Buddhist scripture from the 3rd century − continues to have relevance today
By Megan Bryson — January 5, 2024
(The Conversation) — For many Buddhists today, both in East Asia and across the world, the Lotus Sutra offers religious support for various gender identities.
Taliban arrest women for ‘bad hijab’ in the first dress code crackdown since their return to power
By Associated Press — January 4, 2024
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The development is the latest blow to Afghan women and girls, who are already reeling from bans on education, employment and access to public spaces.
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.
