Homosexuality

Two churches in Hawaii were denied a petition for a restraining order to block a new state law that would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.

The Emmanuel Temple House of Praise and Lighthouse Outreach Center Assembly of God believe that the law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, violates their civil rights and constitutional protections for religious freedom, the Court News Service reported.

Filing a federal lawsuit against the state, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Department of Health director Loretta Fuddy, the two churches hoped to receive an injunction that would help them “maintain their 1st, 5th and 14th Amendment rights.” more >>

The latest version of the popular NIV Bible translation has had its verses on homosexuality reworded, making them clearer in denouncing the practice, a theologian who helped with the translation says.

These clarifications include the verse in 1 Corinthians 6:9, where the 1984 NIV version uses the phrase “homosexual offenders,” while the 2011 translation changes the phrase to "men who have sex with men."

The Committee on Bible Translation, chaired by Dr. Douglas J. Moo, who also serves as Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, released the 2011 New International Version last year. more >>

Ramifications of Amendment 10-A, passed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which allows lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) clergy to be ordained as pastors, are still affecting the Presbyterian community and forcing some churches to split.

One hundred of the 10,300 PC(USA) congregations have branched off from the denomination since the ban against partnered gays was officially lifted last year.

Amendment 10-A was passed by Presbyterian leaders in a 373 to 323 vote at the 2010 General Assembly on July 8. A majority vote from the 173 presbyteries was required to ratify the overture – a change that allows noncelibate LGBT clergy to serve at Presbyterian churches. There have been three previous attempts since 1997 to get the motion passed. The fourth time around, a majority of the presbyteries chose to approve the measure. more >>

With California’s law mandating public schools to teach about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans now in force since New Year’s Day, opponents are urging parents to take their children out while preparing for a repeal referendum.

“Under SB 48, homosexual-bisexual-transsexual role models are now mandatory in every public school, for every child, behind the backs of parents,” Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com, said in a statement Tuesday.

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act, also known as Senate Bill 48, took effect Sunday. Gov. Jerry Brown signed it on July 14, making California the first state in the nation to force gay history into the public school curriculum. more >>

The 5th District Court of Appeal has overruled a circuit judge in Brevard County, Fla., and has determined that both partners of a newly separated lesbian couple have parental rights over their young daughter.

The two women, identified as Appellee and Appellant, have waged a legal war over who should raise the child. One woman, Appellant, donated her egg and is thus the biological mother. The other woman, Appellee, carried and gave birth to the child.

Court documents show that the women were in a committed relationship for 11 years. more >>

Rick Santorum, who late polls say may be leading today in the Iowa caucus, is standing by his position that traditional marriage between a man and a women should be protected by a constitutional amendment – even if that invalidates same-sex marriages that have already occurred.

Currently, same-sex marriage is valid in seven states, but civil unions are legal in many others. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by former President Bill Clinton, defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but allows each state to define marriage in their own constitution.

“No, I think marriage has to be one thing for everybody,” Santorum told Chuck Todd in an interview for NBC Nightly News. “You can’t have 50 different marriage laws in this country – you have to have one marriage law.” more >>