LGBTQ rights
Black pastors sign letter supporting compromise bill on LGBTQ equality
By Yonat Shimron — March 16, 2021
(RNS) — They expressed support for LGBTQ civil protections but are asking that the Senate take up a rival bill called Fairness for All, which includes religious exemptions.
Pope Francis shuts down proposals to bless same-sex couples
By Claire Giangravé — March 15, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a new document sure to disappoint those who thought Pope Francis represented a softening toward LGBTQ marriages within the church, the Vatican rejected proposals that would allow priests to bless LGBTQ unions, saying 'God cannot bless sin.'
German bishops’ summit considers women and lay roles as answer to abuse crisis
By Claire Giangravé — February 1, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While the summit officially affects only Germany, the bishops' discussions will likely have consequences for the global church.
Pope Francis voices support of civil unions for LGBTQ couples in new documentary
By Claire Giangravé — October 21, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family,’ the pope said in an interview for the documentary 'Francesco.' Francis also suggested the need for ‘a civil union law,’ in a departure from official church teaching.
Calling all women: It’s time to take our stand together against tyranny and injustice
By Faith in Public Life — September 30, 2020
(RNS) — Every holy text we follow, from the Quran, Torah and Bible to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, demands a moral obligation to the most marginalized people in society.
LGBT Christians push to overturn Young Life’s ‘sexual conduct’ policy
By Kathryn Post — August 10, 2020
(RNS) — #DoBetterYoungLife, a movement advocating for broader LGBT inclusion, has shared hundreds of stories of exclusion, and its petition has garnered over 6,700 signatures.
As seminaries welcome openly transgender students, church lags behind
By Kathryn Post — July 20, 2020
(RNS) — As mainline and non-denominational Christian seminaries are making strides toward becoming transgender-inclusive, transgender seminarians still encounter hurdles to ordination and finding a pulpit.
Despite a culture ‘entrenched in fear,’ LGBTQ students find ways to thrive at Liberty University
By Jack Jenkins — June 29, 2020
(RNS) — The school publicly opposes LGBTQ relationships, yet students at Liberty have created a small but vibrant LGBTQ community.
Supreme Court rules that federal law protects LGBTQ persons from employment discrimination
By Kathryn Post — June 15, 2020
(RNS) — The Court ruled that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, making employment discrimination against LGBTQ persons illegal in all 50 states for the first time.
Human Rights Campaign starts election-season focus on LGBTQ, religious relations
By Adelle M. Banks — March 2, 2020
(RNS) — The national tour is tied to HRC’s voter mobilization efforts, in which volunteers plan to urge congregants and others to join them in voting.
Trump, prayer and the faithful voter’s gut check
By Eva Kendrick — February 6, 2020
(RNS) — As President Donald Trump addresses the National Prayer Breakfast, faithful voters across America are facing a values gut check, one that puts the president’s platitudes and inhumane policies into stark relief, writes Eva Kendrick.
Why the Arizona Supreme Court ruling in favor of our art studio is a win for everyone
By Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski — September 19, 2019
(RNS) — When we decided to start an art studio together, we knew there would be highs and lows. We didn’t know the lows would include the threat of facing jail time. But the highs of winning a tremendous victory for free speech? We really didn’t see that coming, either.
Equality Act vote again pits Catholic nuns against bishops
By Thomas Reese — May 20, 2019
(RNS) — What's different this time around is that the nuns are divided, with some sisters objecting that the Equality Act could force Catholic hospitals to perform services that they consider immoral.
Same-sex marriage garners support among most American religious groups, study shows
By Jana Riess — May 1, 2018
(RNS) — Twice as many Americans now favor same-sex marriage as oppose it, by 61 percent to 30 percent.
Why transgender issues are Humanist issues
By Chris Stedman — November 28, 2014
Two of the core principles of Humanism are the value of the individual and rational, evidenced-based thinking. Our culture is failing miserably at both when it comes to the transgender community—which is why Humanist voices are greatly needed.
