Homosexuality

A church in Des Moines, Iowa, is receiving harsh criticism and threats for hanging a sign on its marquee indicating the church's stance that homosexuality is a sin. However, the wording and prominence of the sign has caused some backlash and has led some to say it is offensive to homosexuals.

Rev. Michael Demastus of Fort Des Moines Church of Christ has even received death threats and criticism for posting the sign that says "Gay is not okay", according to the Des Moines Register.

The sign was put outside on the church's marquee on Wednesday and was seen by Des Moines resident, Patrick Boltinghouse, who is gay. Outraged by the message, Botlinghouse took a picture of the sign and posted it on Facebook, starting a social media assault on Fort Des Moines Church of Christ. more >>

A British court rejected an appeal Friday from two Christian hotel owners who were sued after turning away a gay couple from their establishment because of their beliefs regarding pre-marital sex.

Peter and Hazelmary Bull from Cornwall, England, were ordered in Jan. 2011 to pay nearly $6,000 in damages to Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall after the gay couple was denied a stay at the Bull's Chymorvah Private Hotel.

The Bulls said they were not discriminating against Preddy and Hall's sexual orientation, but told the court they have a longstanding policy of rejecting all unmarried couples. The hotel owners told the appellate court they believe sex outside of marriage is amoral and that renting a room with one bed to an unmarried couple would be "promoting a sin." more >>

The Washington House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Wednesday and now supporters on both sides of the issue are preparing for a legal fight that will likely end in a referendum vote.

The House voted 55-43 in favor of the same-sex marriage bill a week after the state's Senate passed the measure. Gov. Christine Gregoire hailed the bill's passage and said she is eager to sign the bill into law.

"This is truly a historic day in Washington state, and one where I couldn't be more proud," Gregoire said in a statement. "With today's vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love. more >>

The first homosexual couple to be married in Southern California announced their plans to divorce recently, with the news coming as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has found the state's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.

Robin Tyler filed for divorce from Diane Olson on Jan 25, after years of challenging California's same-sex marriage ban. The pair were lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit that resulted in the state Supreme Court reversing California's ban on same-sex marriage in 2007.

The former couple visited the Beverly Hills Courthouse every year for seven years to apply for a marriage license and oppose Proposition 8, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. After years of being denied, Tyler and Olson became the first lesbian couple to be married in Southern California when they exchanged vows in 2008. more >>

"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe has spoken out against Liberal Democrats in Britain and some U.S. GOP candidates – calling for gay marriage and relationship education in schools – in a tell-all interview with U.K. magazine Attitude.

Radcliffe, an avowed atheist, revealed in his discussion of British politics that he was not happy with the Liberal Democrats' place in the coalition.

The actor, whose current film "The Woman in Black" recently debuted, told Attitude that he would most likely vote for the Labour Party, led by "genuinely leftwing" leader Ed Miliband. more >>

The majority of New Jersey residents are in favor of Gov. Chris Christie's suggestion to send a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage currently on the Senate floor to a referendum on the November ballot, according to a new poll from Kean University.

The poll found that 57 percent of New Jersey residents are in favor of sending the bill to referendum while only 32 percent oppose the measure. The poll's directors say the overwhelming majority is caused by citizens on both sides of the issue believing they have a good chance of winning if it comes to a popular vote.

The Kean poll would suggest, however, that those in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage would stand to benefit most from a referendum. When asked if they "favor or oppose same sex marriage," 48 percent of those polled were in favor while 32 percent were opposed. more >>