LGBT
New app, believr, aims to create a ‘home for LGBTQ+ Christians’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 4, 2021
(RNS) — Believr started out as a dating app but transformed into a broader community. 'I believe the LGBTQ+ Christian space is much bigger than people realize or think,' said the founder.
A prayer for a more just, inclusive future for LGBTQ folks in 2021
By Roland Stringfellow — December 28, 2020
(RNS) — Protecting all people, no matter who they love, is the first step to going into the future together.
Pope Francis on civil unions: Another step toward common ground with the LGBTQ movement
By Alphonso David and James Martin — October 29, 2020
(RNS) — Underlying the pope’s support for gay civil unions is his own long history decrying homophobia and calling for LGBTQ people to be treated with respect and dignity.
Blasting lawmakers, USAID official quits over alleged ‘anti-Christian sentiment’
By Jack Jenkins — August 3, 2020
(RNS) — Merritt Corrigan tweeted that she would not be ‘bullied into submission by radical anti-Christian leftists like Cory Booker.’
Religious conservatives look to the next Supreme Court rulings on religious liberty
By Yonat Shimron — June 17, 2020
(RNS) — They hope to carve out significant wins in a series of cases, including ones dealing with the ministerial exception, abortion and public funding for religious schools.
Measuring the religious significance of the Supreme Court’s LGBT decision
By Mark Silk — June 15, 2020
(RNS) — Dashing the hopes of social conservatives, two justices President Trump nominated to the Court took a relaxed view of the religious implications of expanding LGBTQ rights.
United Methodist bishops ask church court to review proposal to split denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 12, 2020
(RNS) — If the court rules the plan is constitutional, delegates could take up the proposal, called 'A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation,' at the United Methodist General Conference May 5-15 in Minneapolis.
Christian university says it is open to hiring non-Christian art faculty in merger
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — A Christian university says it is open to hiring non-Christian faculty from an art school it recently acquired. Belmont University's provost had made headlines for saying the school would not hire non-Christians.
Why United Methodist Church’s plan for separation is good for everyone
By Carolyn Moore — January 13, 2020
(RNS) — For too long, United Methodists have been merely coexisting, without community, and too many congregations have grown accustomed to a theological ambiguity that dishonors our heritage.
SMU sued as it moves to cut ties with United Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 6, 2019
(RNS) — Southern Methodist University has moved to cut ties with the United Methodist Church after the denomination voted to strengthen rules barring LGBTQ members from marriage and ordination earlier this year.
Trump’s new HHS rule will harm far more people than you realize
By Maggie Siddiqi — November 14, 2019
(RNS) — This proposed rule allows this discrimination at a much larger scale. It invites discrimination against people of all faiths and no faith, against women and against LGBTQ people.
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.
Evangelicals: Bemoaning Duke’s Young Life decision is not enough
By Kevin Singer — September 24, 2019
(RNS) — If evangelical campus groups cared for the safety and well-being of their LGBTQ+ neighbors they might be more welcomed by their fellow students.
United Methodists float plans to split denomination after LGBTQ vote
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 19, 2019
(RNS) — The most likely proposals provide for dissenting congregations to exit the denomination, while retaining ties to United Methodist support organizations.
