gay rights
Interview: Desmond Tutu on gay rights, the Middle East and Pope Francis
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — September 13, 2013
(RNS) "Naming a center after a person who is still alive can make it seem that an individual somehow on their own was able to accomplish what he accomplished. It was our people. "
Pope Francis, the ‘cold-call pope,’ reaches out and touches a lot of people
By Alessandro Speciale — September 6, 2013
Francis has been dubbed the "cold-call pope" due to his penchant for picking up the phone and calling all sorts of folks. But his habit can also encourage hoaxes and pranksters, and the Vatican this week had to deny two reports of alleged papal phone calls.
Video: Dan Savage on NALT Christians Project
By Sally Morrow — September 5, 2013
Author and commentator Dan Savage, host of the 'Savage Love' podcast, explains the origins of the "Not All Like That" Christians Project.
Evangelical ‘Messy Middle’ is more accepting of gays
By Corrie Mitchell — August 9, 2013
(RNS) The one in four evangelicals who are largely ambivalent on the question of homosexuality won't necessarily be leading the charge for gay rights, but they're well known in their churches and what they say (or don't say) can have an impact.
Did Pope Francis change church teaching on homosexuality?
By David Gibson — July 29, 2013
(RNS) Pope Francis said nothing that would indicate that there would be any change in the tenet that homosexuality is, as the Catholic catechism states, “objectively disordered.” But he appeared to push back against a policy that gay men cannot be ordained.
COMMENTARY: Refusing service in the name of religion is never acceptable
By Nancy K. Kaufman — July 17, 2013
(RNS) Refusal to serve -- using religion to discriminate -- isn't new. The idea that any service could be denied based on religious conviction didn't survive the civil rights revolution and should not be revived now.
Video: From DC to KC, reaction to Supreme Court gay marriage rulings
By Sally Morrow — June 27, 2013
We asked faith leaders and members: What does the Supreme Court decision today mean for you in the context of your faith?
Photo Slideshow: From DC to KC, reaction to Supreme Court gay marriage rulings
By Sally Morrow — June 26, 2013
Religion News Service documents reactions to the Supreme Court decision both in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Mo.
Catholic leaders urge support for Boy Scouts after shift on gays
By David Gibson — May 31, 2013
(RNS) The U.S. Catholic Church’s top liaison to the Boy Scouts of America is telling Catholic Scout leaders and troop sponsors that the BSA’s new policy welcoming gay Scouts “is not in conflict with Catholic teaching” and they should continue to support Scouting programs.
ANALYSIS: Can gay Catholics find a home in the Catholic Church?
By David Gibson — May 23, 2013
(RNS) As U.S. Catholics grow increasingly accepting of homosexuality, there's going to be inevitable conflict as an uneasy “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” policy clashes with gay Catholics' increasing visibility in the form of marriage licenses or wedding announcements.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien leaves Scotland under Vatican pressure
By David Gibson — May 15, 2013
(RNS) The Vatican on Wednesday said that Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who resigned in February amid reports that he had made sexual advances to a number of priests, will do penance in an undisclosed location outside of his country.
Pentagon refutes reports of anti-Christian policies
By David Gibson — May 2, 2013
(RNS) Christian conservatives have grown increasingly alarmed over reports that the Pentagon has adopted new policies aimed at disciplining or even court-martialing those who share their faith. But the Department of Defense on Thursday said evangelization is still permitted.
John Paulk, former Christian ex-gay spokesman, recants and apologizes
By David Gibson — April 26, 2013
(RNS) John Paulk, who for years was known as the poster boy for the Christian "ex-gay'' movement, says he has come to terms with his sexuality and says he is "truly, truly sorry for the pain I have caused'' in supporting the belief that gays can change.
Catholic bishop returns petitions to ousted gay man
By David Gibson — April 25, 2013
NEW YORK (RNS) The story of a gay Catholic man who was relieved of all duties at his Long Island parish just got more interesting: His bishop returned a petition with 18,000 signatures with a one-line cover letter: "FROM YOUR FAITHFUL ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP."
Gay Catholic delivers 18,000 signatures to bishop asking to be reinstated
By David Gibson — April 11, 2013
(RNS) The gay man ousted from posts at his New York parish after a critic complained that he had married his partner delivered a petition with more than 18,000 signatures on Thursday to Bishop William Murphy asking to be reinstated.
