homosexuality
Boy Scouts shift on gays wouldn’t change rules on atheists
Fewer Americans view homosexuality as a sin
Years of tension yield to thaw between gays, Mormons
Update: Evangelical grad student settles with university
(RNS) A graduate student who was expelled from Eastern Michigan University after citing her faith when she declined to advise a gay client has settled her case with the school. By Adelle M. Banks.
Parliament bars Church of England from hosting gay weddings
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The British government unveiled a proposal on Tuesday (Dec. 11) that excludes the Church of England and the Church in Wales from planned legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry in churches. By Trevor Grundy.
Both sides brace for Supreme Court battle on gay marriage
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court's long-awaited decisions to hear challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage move the issue to the top of the national agenda following a year in which advocates scored major legal and political victories. By Richard Wolf / USA Today.
Polls: Americans’ views on gays and lesbians shifting fast
(RNS) In the wake of historic victories for gay rights supporters in last month's elections, a pair of USA Today/Gallup Polls find growing acceptance among Americans toward gay men and lesbians -- and soaring optimism among gay Americans that issues involving homosexuality will one day no longer divide the nation. By Susan Page/USA Today.
New Mormon website features softer, gentler tone on gays
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The Mormon church is not changing its tune about homosexuality, but it has launched a new website to alter the tone. The site includes video clips of gay members and their families promoting compassion and understanding toward homosexuals, and encouraging everyone to be "disciples of Christ.'' By Peggy Fletcher Stack.
Tutu urges Uganda to drop bid to jail gays and lesbians
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Tuesday (Dec. 4) urged Uganda to scrap a controversial draft law that would send gays and lesbians to jail and, some say, put them at risk of the death penalty. By Fredrick Nzwili.
Gay bishop Gene Robinson sets sights on D.C. as retirement looms
CONCORD, N.H. (RNS) When Gene Robinson became the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in 2003, his election triggered shock waves and fears of schism worldwide. Now, as this lighting-rod figure prepares to retire Jan. 5, he’s leaving New Hampshire for a city that knows polarization all too well: Washington, D.C. By G. Jeffrey MacDonald.
GUEST COMMENTARY: On gay marriage, voters got it right even if the church gets it wrong
(RNS) Voters who supported gay marriage in four states on Election Day did so despite significant opposition from Christian institutions. They got it right, even though the church has gotten this issue wrong. Then again, "getting it wrong" has been a Christian tradition for too long. By C.S. Pearce.
Jews push back against Scouts over policy banning gays
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) For nearly a decade, hundreds of Boy Scouts have learned the virtues of the Ten Commandments on an annual hike to local churches, synagogues and mosques. But this year, Touro Synagogue says it's no longer willing to take part because the Scouts deny membership to gay troop leaders and gay adolescent Scouts. By Bruce Nolan.
Episcopal bishop says he was denied entrance to Catholic archbishop’s installation Mass
(RNS) What started off as a rocky relationship between the Episcopal and Roman Catholic bishops of San Francisco got even worse on Thursday (Oct. 4) when Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus said he was denied entrance to the installation Mass of the new Roman Catholic archbishop. By Kevin Eckstrom.
Judge blocks New Orleans law that prevents preaching in French Quarter
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) A federal judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of a city law that was recently used to arrest Christian evangelists who were preaching on Bourbon Street during Southern Decadence, the annual celebration of gay culture in the French Quarter. By Bruce Nolan.
Parents seek veto on sexuality teaching in Ontario schools
TORONTO (RNS) A group of conservative Christian and Muslim parents in Ontario want schools to notify them before their children are taught about sexuality, birth control, "environmental worship" and occult practices. By Ron Csillag.