Homosexuality

Lesbian-turned-Christian Lisa Miller does not need to go to jail nor pay fines for failing to deliver her seven-year-old daughter to her former girlfriend in Vermont for visitation, a Virginia judge ruled on Tuesday.

On behalf of Janet Jenkins, Miller’s former lesbian partner, the ACLU of Virginia had asked the state’s court to order the defendant to jail and pay attorney fees and costs.

But the judge ruled that although Miller violated a Vermont judge’s visitation order, no fines would be assessed against her. The court ordered Miller to pay $100 per day for pending visitation orders issued in Vermont, but there are none at this time. more >>

The sign outside the church would usually read St. Timothy Lutheran Church. But the word "Lutheran" has been covered over and now simply reads St. Timothy Church.

The minister of the Charleston, W.Va., church, the Rev. Richard Mahan, explained his actions to his congregation during service on Sunday.

“I asked that be done because I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed of what the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has done to a church I've loved for 40 years," he said. more >>

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wrapped up its 2009 Churchwide Assembly on Sunday with calls for caution as well as unity.

Just before members returned to their respective cities, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson urged them to be cautious in their reports to their congregations and not to use the word "fear."

After pledging to speak well of those who attended this year's assembly and of the denomination, Hanson said, "One way I will speak well of you is not to use the word 'fear' to describe those who oppose the actions that prevailed in many of our discussions. It's not helpful to our life together. It's not respectful of deeply held convictions shaped by theology and Scripture and faith," as reported by the ELCA News Service. more >>

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Friday approved a resolution to allow gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships to be ordained.

ELCA's highest legislative body voted 559-451 during the biennial Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis.

It was a moment of celebration for supporters of the resolution, which overturned the denomination's ban on noncelibate gay and lesbian clergy. But opponents warn the action will likely lead to an exodus of churches. more >>

A bill that could force religious groups to hire gay employees will be debated in Congress when lawmakers return from their summer recess.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a proposed bill in the U.S. Congress that would make it illegal for employers to make decisions on hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation.

If the bill passes, “sexual orientation” would be added to a list of federally protected classes under a 1964 act that prohibits job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. more >>