Homosexuality

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has fought back against criticism of comments he made last week where he was accused of comparing the state's gay marriage debate to the tumultuous civil rights movement of the mid-20th century.

"What was I attempting to juxtapose was that the advocates of same-sex marriage say the reason for doing this, in part, is because the public of New Jersey wants it. So I said 'Okay, have a referendum and prove it.'" Christie told reporters.

Christie's misunderstood comments came last week when he said, "The fact of the matter is I think people would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South." more >>

Maryland Marriage Alliance leaders said liberals cannot bribe them into accepting same-sex marriage legalization with religious protections. The group is moving forward with a pro-traditional marriage rally planned for Monday night.

Julia Vidmar, spokesperson for the Maryland Marriage Alliance, told The Christian Post that the new religious protections built into Maryland General Assembly's 2012 gay marriage bill has not changed Christian leaders' opposition to legally recognize gay marriage.

In fact, the protections served as validation of their concerns. more >>

The Archbishop of York, the second highest figure in the Church of England, has spoken out in opposition to gay marriage weeks ahead of a government consultation on the issue, saying it is not the role of the state to redefine marriage.

Dr John Sentamu has told The Daily Telegraph that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, and suggested that the government would be acting like "dictators" if they tried to change it.

"Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," says Sentamu. "I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just [change it] overnight, no matter how powerful you are. more >>

The Sixth Circuit ruled Friday in favor of Christian graduate student Julea Ward, who nearly three years ago was expelled from Eastern Michigan University's counseling program for trying to have a homosexual client reassigned to someone else because of her religious beliefs.

The court decision was hailed by the Alliance Defense Fund and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty – groups representing Ward – as a major victory for the constitutional rights of individuals with religious beliefs.

The Sixth Circuit opinion was strongly worded, reversing a district court decision in favor of the university and sending the case back for trial, ADF explained in a statement released by the Christian lawyers group shortly after the ruling. The appeals court said, "A reasonable jury could conclude that Ward's professors ejected her from the counseling program because of hostility toward her speech and faith…." more >>

A 15-year-old Wisconsin student has been "censored and punished" for expressing his Christian beliefs – supporting the biblical family view – in a school newspaper op-ed article about homosexuality and same-sex parent adoption.

Brandon Wegner, a contributor for Shawano High student paper "The Hawk's Post," wrote the editorial column in support of children being raised in a home by a mother and a father.

He cited various authorities and sources, including Scripture, in defense of his opinions. Wegner argued that children raised in an environment in which the mother and father are present had the best chance for success and that homosexual adoption should be prohibited. His article was released in conjunction with an opposing viewpoint provided by another student, Maddie Marquardt, also "The Hawk's Post" copy editor. Marquardt countered in her argument that gay couples should be able to adopt because the foster system is broken and children need a two-parent home. more >>

A coalition of Maine gay rights groups announced on Thursday that they had secured enough petition signatures to force a referendum on legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

Spokespeople for EqualityMaine, American Civil Liberties Unions of Maine and the Maine Women's Lobby said they had collected over 105,000 signatures of people who supported same-sex marriage – more than twice the amount of signatures needed to force a referendum.

Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine, said times have changed and Maine is poised to become the final state in New England to recognize gay marriage. more >>