gay marriage
Italy OKs gay civil unions despite strong church opposition
By RNS staff — May 12, 2016
And still no one is happy. Conservatives say they'll push to cancel the law. Supports say, "This is just the beginning."
ACLU sues to block Mississippi law denying services to LGBT couples
By RNS staff — May 10, 2016
Supporters call it a religious freedom law that lets wedding vendors opt out of serving same-sex couples. The ACLU calls it discrimination.
Kentucky will remove county clerk names from marriage licenses
By Reuters — April 14, 2016
The governor signed the law to establish a single form for every bride, groom or spouse. And Rowan County clerk Kim Davis won't have to put her name on it.
Norway’s dominant Lutheran Church approves gay marriage
By Reuters — April 11, 2016
The vote reflects increasingly liberal attitudes in wider Norwegian society, where civil same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009.
Mississippi enacts law allowing gays to be denied services
By Reuters — April 5, 2016
Critics say the "Religious Liberty Accommodation Act" is discriminatory and unconstitutional. The governors of Georgia and Virginia vetoed similar bills.
Mississippi’s ‘religious freedom’ bill moves to governor amid gay-rights protests
By Reuters — April 2, 2016
The law goes far beyond allowing wedding vendors to refuse same-sex couples. It would affect employment policies and protect parents who send LGBT children to controversial "reparative therapy" programs.
Judge halts Mississippi same-sex adoption ban
By USA Today Network — April 1, 2016
The order was issued the day after the state Senate passed a bill to allow businesses to deny services to LGBT people and let clerks deny marriage licenses for gay couples.
Mississippi bill would let businesses rebuff LGBT people
By Sarah Fowler — March 31, 2016
Businesses could legally deny service to people, based on religious or moral beliefs. Critics compared the "religious liberty" bill to Jim Crow laws.
Virginia governor vetoes religious protection bill
By Reuters — March 31, 2016
"This legislation is nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize," he said.
Catholic charity group cancels gay singer’s performance
By Aysha Khan — March 10, 2016
(RNS) The bishop learned she married a woman.
Student expelled from British university for biblical opposition to gay marriage
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 29, 2016
(RNS) "I stand with Kim Davis," the social work student wrote on social media. The university said that made him unsuitable for professional licensing.
Georgia’s religious freedom bill a mixed bag, missed opportunity
By Jonathan Merritt — February 25, 2016
Opponents of the bill argues that these sorts of measures use protection language as a cover for legalizing discrimination of LGBT persons.
5 faith facts about Rick Santorum: Church-state separation makes him want to ‘throw up’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 3, 2016
(RNS) Former Sen. Rick Santorum withdrew from the 2016 race on Feb. 3
5 faith facts about Martin O’Malley: ‘A Pope Francis Democrat’
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 2, 2016
(RNS) Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley suspended his campaign Feb. 1.
Alabama chief justice defies Supreme Court gay marriage ruling, forbids clerks to issue licenses
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 6, 2016
(RNS) Justice Roy Moore ruled that the state's probate judges have a "ministerial duty" not to violate Alabama's "Sanctity of Marriage" laws.
