LGBT
Black minister to his mostly white ELCA denomination: ‘We need to rethink church’
By Adelle M. Banks — August 28, 2019
(RNS) — The Rev. Lenny Duncan recently decided to challenge his denomination in a new book, titled 'Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S.'
North Carolina becomes first Southern state to ban state funding for conversion therapy
By Yonat Shimron — August 5, 2019
(RNS) — No Southern state has enacted laws banning the ex-gay therapies, but North Carolina's executive order bans government support for the practice, mostly used by evangelical ministries dedicated to changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Evangelical group hoped to shut down debate on gays. That may not be possible.
By Yonat Shimron — July 2, 2019
(RNS) — First Covenant Church Minneapolis is not alone in extending full rights to LGBTQ members. Less than 10 miles away in neighboring St. Paul, another Covenant church takes a similar stand.
Evangelical denomination expels entire congregation over LGBT policy
By Yonat Shimron — June 28, 2019
(RNS) — The Evangelical Covenant Church's vote to expel the First Covenant Church, a prominent and historic Minneapolis congregation, for being "out of harmony on human sexuality," took place at the denomination’s annual meeting in Omaha on Friday (June 27).
Indiana archbishop defends firing of teacher in gay marriage
By Associated Press — June 28, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — More than 100 Cathedral students and other opponents of Thompson's actions held a prayer protest later Thursday outside the archdiocesan offices near downtown Indianapolis.
Why are Catholic schools firing gay teachers — and how can one refuse?
By Jack Jenkins — June 27, 2019
(RNS) — Two Catholic high schools in Indiana have been ordered to fire openly gay teachers. One did; the other vows to carry its protest against the order to the Vatican. What is going on?
Why Catholic bishops need a year of abstinence on preaching about sexuality
By John Gehring — June 25, 2019
(RNS) — The hubris displayed in making sexuality the lynchpin of Catholic identity when bishops have failed to convince their flock that they are prepared to police predators could be countered with some listening.
Ethiopia tour for gay, lesbian travelers in jeopardy amid backlash from faith groups
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 14, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — A trip to Ethiopia planned by a Chicago-based tour company for gay and lesbian travelers is in jeopardy amid a backlash primarily from religious groups in the African country, where homosexuality is criminalized.
Adam Hamilton on ‘Methodists in the middle’ and what’s next for the denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 4, 2019
(RNS) — As the United Methodist Church has spent decades wrestling over the inclusion of its LGBTQ members, the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the United States, has emerged, as one local radio station put it, as 'the Pied Piper for Methodists in the middle.'
Kenyan court upholds bans on gay intimacy
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) – A ruling in favor of repeal would have been a trailblazing step for an Africa court, but the three-judge bench said there was not sufficient evidence of discrimination.
United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan’s ban on LGBTQ clergy, same sex marriage
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — Seven of the 17 petitions that made up the Traditional Plan are unconstitutional and will not be added with the others to the United Methodist Church’s rulebook.
Why United Methodists are watching the results of a denominational court meeting
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 23, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — What might United Methodists' top court decide this week about the Traditional Plan, and what would that mean for the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States?
US Methodists plot ways to resist new LGBT rules
By Yonat Shimron — April 3, 2019
(RNS) — On Thursday (April 4), a group of 30 clergy, bishops and activists led by megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton will gather in Decatur, Ga., to strategize a future for those churches that cannot remain in a denomination that denies LGBT rights.
In Chicago, one mosque charts its own path
By Aysha Khan — March 26, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — Masjid al-Rabia is part of a growing global movement toward ensuring mosques are accessible and friendly toward women worshippers. But 'women-friendly' means something a little different for director Mahdia Lynn.
Survey: Faith groups maintain widespread support for LGBT protection laws
By Aysha Khan — March 12, 2019
(RNS) — A new report shows that strong majorities within all religious groups, including white evangelicals, support laws shielding LGBT people from discrimination.
