LGBT and Christian
Bethany Christian Services’ decision on gay adoption makes the church shine brighter
By Jennifer Butler — March 4, 2021
(RNS) — The country’s largest evangelical Christian adoption agency abandoned a discriminatory policy that the religious right puts major capital into defending.
Protesters and supporters denounce explosion at anti-LGBTQ First Works Baptist Church
By Alejandra Molina — January 24, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — ‘We weren’t expecting anything like this,’ an organizer of a group protesting the church’s message said. ‘It’s made it harder on our cause.’
What would Rachel Held Evans do? Late author’s voice lives on through those she championed
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2020
(RNS) — One year after her death, it appears Evans isn’t finished speaking yet.
Christian higher ed can’t win the LGBTQ debate unless it transforms
By David P. Gushee — December 3, 2019
(RNS) — At Christian schools across the country, an eruption over LGBTQ policy may be only a day away.
UMC’s Western Jurisdiction announces ‘safe harbor’ for LGBTQ clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 6, 2019
(RNS) — The Safe Harbor Declaration comes months before new restrictions strengthening the United Methodist Church’s ban on the ordination and marriage of its LGBTQ members are set to take effect on Jan. 1.
Dissent from Traditional Plan dominates United Methodists’ top court meeting
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 2, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — Many of the requests before the Judicial Council this past week had to do with actions recently passed by various regional annual conferences across the country dissenting to the Traditional Plan approved in February.
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.'
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 celibate LGBTQ Christians stir controversy on right and left alike
By Katelyn Beaty — August 16, 2018
(RNS) — Where many conservative Christian leaders denounce LGBT identity, many are unwilling to do the relational work of walking alongside same-sex-attracted Christians as they attempt a very difficult thing: lifelong celibacy.
United Methodists debate, lobby and worry in advance of LGBT decision
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — August 2, 2018
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church's decade-long debate over LGBT clergy and same-sex marriage is heading for a showdown in February that will determine whether the denomination will split up or go forward together.
3 Christian Colleges recognize LGBT employees can be Christian, too
By Eliel Cruz — July 23, 2015
By opening their doors to same-sex couples and transgender people they signal all are valued because of their faith, not in spite of it.
My atheist porn star friend made me a better Christian
By Eliel Cruz — July 13, 2015
Our unexpected friendship showed me how to be more like Jesus.
Call her Caitlyn: calling trans people by their names
By Eliel Cruz — June 2, 2015
Spurning someone’s name for your own reason is more than disrespectful. It’s cruel.
Another faithfully LGBT Christian comes out of the professional closet
By Eliel Cruz — May 27, 2015
RNS Editor Kevin Eckstrom has a new job and a new way of facing the public – as himself.
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