Homosexuality

"It wasn't primarily about sex." With those words, Lutheran theologian Robert Benne explained that the actions recently taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to normalize homosexuality were not primarily about sex at all, but about theological identity. "The ELCA has formally left the great tradition for liberal Protestantism," Benne declared.

Taking its stand with the radical theological revisionism of the Protestant Left, the ELCA "left the Great Tradition of moral teaching to identify with United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church," Benne lamented.

Writing in Christianity Today, Benne argued that his denomination had abandoned the Gospel for a social gospel. "The liberating movements fueled by militant feminism, multiculturalism, anti-racism, anti-heterosexism, anti-imperialism, and now ecologism have been moved to the center while the classic gospel and its missional imperatives have been pushed to the periphery." more >>

After a decade-long struggle, Congress passed a bill Thursday evening that would make it a federal crime to attack someone based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Senate – in a 68-29 vote, with most Republicans opposed – approved the measure that was attached to the $680 billion defense spending bill. It adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to the existing list of categories which include race, religion, color or national origin. The measure now heads to President Obama’s desk, who has vowed to sign it.

Though proponents of the bill celebrate its passage as a historic civil rights moment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement, conservatives and some Christian groups fear the measure will infringe on their right to freedom of speech. more >>

A federal judge rejected on Wednesday a request to throw out a lawsuit challenging Proposition 8, California's amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled to allow the case to move forward, saying significant questions remain about whether the measure violates the fundamental rights of gays and lesbians.

The decision was made after the San Francisco judge grilled Charles Cooper, a lawyer representing Proposition 8 proponents, on the alleged harm same-sex marriage has on traditional marriage. more >>

California conservatives say they are “disappointed” and “appalled” by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signing into law two pro-gay bills, including the Harvey Milk Day legislation which honors the pro-gay rights activist.

Gov. Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 572, authored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), into law Sunday night and announced it on Monday. The bill calls for the governor to annually proclaim May 22, which is Milk’s birthday, as Harvey Milk Day in honor of the first openly homosexual politician. The legislation also encourages schools to conduct exercises or programs that focus on Milk’s contributions.

“California Family Council is disappointed that Governor Schwarzenegger has placed the interests of a specific group over the educational needs of students,” the group expressed in a statement Monday. “SB 572 wrongly encourages schools to sacrifice students’ class time in order to appease special-interest groups.” more >>

President Obama's speech this past weekend made it "abundantly clear" that America is looking at "a new era for civil rights for LGBT people," said one gay rights advocate.

The address on Saturday at an event hosted by the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization "drew a clear line in the sand for the world to see: this administration believes in and will work with the LGBT community and our allies to achieve full equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans," said Mitchell Gold, founder of nonreligious organization Faith in America.

"President Obama’s presence and words represented his recognition that LGBT people are a normal part of our diverse society." more >>