LGBT
The ’Splainer: What happened at the United Methodist General Conference?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 7, 2019
(RNS) — What does the Traditional Plan actually do, and what happens now? Let us ’Splain …
Colorado, baker end legal spat over transgender woman’s cake
By Kathleen Foody — March 7, 2019
DENVER (AP) — A Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds and state officials said Tuesday that they would end a separate legal fight over his refusal to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.
Grieving, but not leaving, the United Methodist Church
By James C. Howell — March 1, 2019
(RNS) — A general conference isn’t the church, the way a restaurant chain’s board of directors meeting isn’t a family enjoying dinner.
Episcopal bishops object to same-sex spouses’ disinvitation to global conference
By Rosie Dawson — March 1, 2019
LONDON (RNS) — The archbishop's decision to exclude three same-sex spouses from North America has caused soul-searching and outrage on both sides of the Atlantic.
‘In this to the end’: LGBT United Methodists express hurt, hope after vote
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 28, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — After a wrenching three days of deliberations and spending $3.7 million to organize a special conference of its global church, the UMC has only marginally more more clarity on its future than when the meeting began.
United Methodists pass Traditional Plan, keep ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 26, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Delegates to a special session of the United Methodist Church decided Tuesday to strengthen the denomination’s ban on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people.
United Methodist committee rejects One Church Plan, which would allow LGBT clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The plan recommended by the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops will 'almost certainly still come up' as a minority report during Tuesday's plenary session, according to one LGBTQ advocacy group.
United Methodists vote pensions, ‘Traditional Plan’ as top priorities
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The so-called Traditional Plan ranked just below pensions in a vote ranking plans and petitions as high or low priority taken at the start of the special session of the United Methodist Church General Conference.
The ‘Splainer: What’s the United Methodist special session all about?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — You’ve probably heard that the United Methodist Church meeting this weekend in St. Louis has something to do with sexuality and a possible schism. Let us ’Splain …
United Methodists should acknowledge reality that they are no longer united
By Jacob Lupfer — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — The divide between liberals and conservatives has been baked into the UMC from its inception in 1968. It's time to let go.
Ahead of St. Louis meeting, one United Methodist offers prayers along the way
By Yonat Shimron — February 20, 2019
(RNS) — Helen Ryde decided to alleviate the tension ahead of what may be the most consequential meeting in the denomination’s history by turning the trip to Missouri into a pilgrimage.
Hindu monastic order is reclaiming transgender people’s status in Indian society
By Soumya Shankar — February 20, 2019
PRAYAGRAJ, India (RNS) — A reality TV star-turned-transgender activist is using the ancient Hindu tradition of akharas to go beyond activism's limits to change religious attitudes toward her community.
Historic United Methodist church sees ‘hopeful’ time for LGBTQ Christians
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 15, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — LGBTQ-affirming United Methodists are split over which proposed plan to support at the denomination's special session — and what they'll do if a plan passes that strengthens rules against the full inclusion of LGBTQ people.
A flourishing United Methodist church considers a way out
By Yonat Shimron — February 13, 2019
LEXINGTON, S.C. (RNS) — Mt. Horeb, a conservative evangelical church in the heart of South Carolina, is one of many congregations considering cutting the cord if the denomination relaxes its LGBT rules.
With new ‘affirmation’ policy, American Bible Society loses LGBT staffers
By Yonat Shimron — January 23, 2019
(RNS) — The new policy allows the 203-year-old organization, which was founded to publish, distribute and translate the Bible, to let go of any LGBT employee who is not celibate.
