The LGBT Religion News Summary elevates the week’s LGBT and faith related stories. To find out more about GLAAD’s Religion, Faith & Values program, visit www.glaad.org/faith.
Members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy have spoken in opposition to marriage equality in Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, Maryland, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Once priest even a rapped in a video promoting so-called ‘ex-gay’ programs. Even the Pope said in France that marriage equality ‘threatens society’. However, Lady Gaga reminds us that the Pope doesn’t speak for all Catholics on the matter of LGBT equality. And atheists in Missouri are taking their own billboard to respond.
African-American clergy are organizing in Maryland to promote marriage equality in that state. However, Conservative Jews are concerned that gay and lesbian marriages might be more equal than straight ones.
Matthew Vines continues to appear in the media, with interviews on the BBC Newshour and the Christian Post. His YouTube video is nearing 400,000 views. Joel Osteen, the prominent evangelical pastor, doesn’t want to talk about LGBT people, but continues to tell audiences that being gay is ‘not God’s best’.
A reminder that Spirit Day is fast approaching. Please take the Spirit Day pledge to go purple on October 19. Faith organizations and congregations can participate in Spirit Day. This week, Advent Lutheran Church in New York City is preparing for Spirit Day by dedicating their mid-week service to anti-bullying.
For additional religion and faith updates, be sure to subscribe via our online registration form. We welcome suggestions at faith@glaad.org.
Atheist/Humanist
- Billboard War “Erupts” Between Atheists And Catholics Over Gay Marriage In Missouri
- Queerty, September 25, 2012
Black Churches
- Prominent black clergy support Maryland same-sex marriage
- Washington Post, September 21, 2012
- Rev. Sharpton, black clergy urge support of Md. same-sex marriage referendum
- Washington Post, September 21, 2012
- Tough trifecta: Black, gay and Christian in Memphis
- The Commercial Appeal, September 23, 2012
Catholic
- LA priest suspended for advocating 'gay marriage'
- Catholic News Agency, September 21, 2012
- Seattle Archbishop Says 'Society Would Be Harmed Beyond Repair' if Gay People Can Marry: VIDEO
- Towelroad, September 21, 2012
- In San Francisco, Prop. 8 backer to head Catholic Church
- Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2012
- Pope Tells French Bishops 'Defective' Gay Nups 'Threaten' Society
- Towleroad, September 22, 2012
- Cardinal George: ‘Society Will Be the Worse for It’ If Gay Marriage Legalized
- CBS Chicago, September 23, 2012
- Catholic Cardinal: Gay Marriage Not Marriage, Just Friends With Benefits
- New Civil Rights Movement, September 24, 2012
- Prop. 8 'Architect' Set to Take Over as SF Archbishop
- Newser, September 24, 2012
- Catholic Ex-Gays Reach Out With Priest Rap
- Think Progress LGBT, September 24, 2012
- Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori to headline event for opponents of gay marriage
- Washington Post, September 24, 2012
- Catholics asked to pay for marriage vote ads
- Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 25, 2012
- Newark Archbishop Tells Pro-Gay Catholics They Should Refrain from Taking Communion, Urges Voters to Defend Marriage
- Towleroad, September 25, 2012
- Does Lady Gaga Represent Catholics Better Than the Pope?
- GLAAD, September 25, 2012
- Maryland Governor says Support for Marriage Equality “Very Much Informed” by his Catholicism
- Religion Dispatches, September 25, 2012
- Catholics' reaction to Newark Archbishop's statement on gay marriage reflects generational divide
- NorthJersey.com, September 26, 2012
Christian
- Matthew Vines: Reforming the Gay Christian Debate
- LGBTQ Nation, September 23, 2012
- Institutional homophobia in the Church: Why I would break the law in support of LGBT people
- The Independent, September 24, 2012
- Matthew Vines Says Most Christians Are Wrong: Homosexuality Is Not a Sin
- Christian Post, September 25, 2012
Episcopal
- Bishop Gene Robinson on His New Book ‘God Believes in Love’ & More
- The Daily Beast, September 21, 2012
Evangelical
- Do gay rights conflict with Conservative Christian values?
- Denny Burke, September 18, 2012
- BBC Newshour interview with Matthew Vines (starts at minute 44)
- BBC, September 20, 2012
- C’mon, Joel, Swerve a Little Bit
- Religion Dispatches, September 23, 2012
- Judge blocks New Orleans law that prevents preaching in French Quarter
- Washington Post, September 24, 2012
- Edward Ness on Swirl Radio
- Swirl Radio, September 24, 2012
- Brian McLaren Leads Commitment Ceremony At Son's Same-Sex Wedding
- Christianity Today, September 24, 2012
- Forget Debates and Dialogue about LGBT Justice, the Religious Right Isn't Listening
- Religion Dispatches, September 26, 2012
International
- Little Love On Display At Jamaican Love March Against Gays, Fornicators
- Queerty, September 21 2012
- Ex-gay survivor's tales of exorcism in middle England
- BBC, September 22, 2012
- Symbolic Lesbian Wedding In Italy Condemned By Church
- Queerty, September 25, 2012
Jewish
- Faith, not just gayness, informs filmmaker’s works
- Jewish Journal, September 5, 2012
- Conservative Jews Worried Gay Weddings Might Be… Too Equal?
- New Voices, September 20, 2012
- Queer Shabbaton DC
- Nehirim, September 25, 2012
Marriage Equality
- Island religious leaders sign on for marriage equality
- Bainbridge Island Review, September 23, 2012
- Maine spiritual leaders to model civil discourse on same sex marriage
- Bangor Daily News, September 18, 2012
Mormon
- Religion Briefs: Choir seeks unity between gay, straight Mormons
- Daily Herald, September 22, 2012
Seventh Day Adventist
- I am a Seventh-Gay Adventist
- Huffington Post, September 25, 2012
United Church of Christ
- The real “religious freedom” argument
- Box Turtle Bulletin, September 21, 2012
Unitarian Universalist
- Ugandan gay-rights activist visits Connecticut
- San Francisco Gate, September 20, 2012
- Zach Wahls brings Scouts for Equality launch to San Diego
- San Diego LGBT Weekly, September 20, 2012
