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Visit our LGBT Religion News Summary blog post for a complete list of links.
Spirit Day is next Friday, when millions of people, churches, synagogues, organizations, businesses, and media groups will go purple to oppose bullying and support LGBT youth. Even “Chaplain to the Colbert Report” has tweeted his support. In the 19 Days of Action, Day Seven was to ask your place of worship to go purple. There is still time to take the Spirit Day Pledge or register your organization as a Spirit Day Endorser.
Bishops in San Francisco got into a snit when the pro-LGBT Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus was detained at the installation of anti-LGBT Roman Catholic Bishop, Salvatore Cordileone. But he’s not alone. Bishop John Nienstedt, the main Catholic activist behind the Minnesota anti-marriage equality amendment, was featured in a lengthy profile, but the most interesting story was when he told one mother to stop supporting her gay child at the risk of her salvation. Even as the Roman Catholic hierarchy cries about “religious freedom”, Catholics are still incredibly supportive of LGBT people.
However, in Maryland, Black Church leaders are gaining their pro-equality voices, and even starring in marriage equality ads. Cedric Harmon says this is because they are talking to one another. A prominent Spokane, Washington, clergyman is also supporting marriage equality. And UCC clergy are leading organizing efforts and even offering their buildings in Minnesota.
In lighter and easier news, Middle Church is releasing their CD “Welcome” with television and Broadway actor Tituss Burgess and Ed Ness of The Evangelical Network talks to Swirl Radio about being a gay Christian.
Baptist
- Rev. Stephen Parelli spreads message supporting gay Christians
- The Scranton Times-Tribune, October 8, 2012
Black Churches
- The Black Gay-Straight Alliance
- The Root, October 5, 2012
- Influential Black Minister In WA Won’t Cede Religious Arguments To Gay-Marriage Foes
- Queerty, October 9, 2012
- Black voices for marriage equality in Maryland
- Washington Post, October 10, 2012
- Two African-American ministers from Maryland appear in first same-sex marriage ads
- Washington Post, October 10, 2012
- The Black Church is accepting LGBT people as congregations, pastors talk
- Washington Post, October 10, 2012
- Black Faith Leaders Announce $1M Campaign Attacking Obama's Marriage Equality Support
- Advocate, October 10, 2012
Catholic
- Installation of new San Francisco archbishop attracts gay rights demonstrators
- Washington Post, October 4, 2012
- Salvatore Cordileone DUI: New SF Archbishop Jokes About Recent Arrest
- Huffington Post, October 5, 2012
- Bishop brouhaha in San Francisco
- CNN, October 5, 2012
- Catholics Encourage Voters to "Vote Yes" on MN Marriage Amendment
- Northland’s Newscenter, October 7, 2012
- Marriage amendment: The archbishop draws the line
- Star Tribune, October 7, 2012
- Washington Catholic Bishop Joseph Tyson: Gay Marriage Will 'Endanger Religious Liberty'
- Towleroad, October 8, 2012
- 63 former Catholic priests: We support Ref. 74
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 8, 2012
- Why do so many Catholics support marriage equality? Blame the Catholic imagination
- National Catholic Reporter, October 8, 2012
- Archbishop: Mom Of Gay Son May Go To Hell If She Doesn’t Embrace Church Anti-Gay Teachings
- The New Civil Rights Movement, October 8, 2012
- Canadian Archbishop Urges Minnesotans: ‘Vote Yes’
- WCCO-CBS, October 8 2012
- WA Bishops Latest Attack on R-74 Inaccurate and Misleading
- The Seattle Lesbian, October 10, 2012
- Chris Kluwe Tackles Archbishop Who Told Woman To Reject Gay Son Or Burn
- Queery, October 10, 2012
- Is It a Coincidence that Coming Out Day and Vatican II’s Anniversary Are Today?
- New Ways Ministry, October 11, 2012
Christian
- Church Celebrates LGBT Equality and Activism in Gospel Album by Broadway’s Tituss Burgess
- Religion News Service, October 5, 2012
Episcopal
- Episcopal bishop says he was denied entrance to Catholic archbishop's installation Mass
- The Christian Century, October 7, 2012
- Cranbrook rector bound for D.C. talks religion, politics
- Detroit Free Press, October 7, 2012
- Episcopal diocese considers same-sex blessings
- Green Bay Gazette, October 7, 2012
- Episcopal Smackdown in SF
- Religion News Service, October 9, 2012
- Liberty and justice for all in Maryland
- Washington Post, October 10, 2012
Evangelical
- Swirl Radio interview with Ed Ness
- Swirl Radio, October 1, 2012
- When Church Drives Sexuality Underground, Bad Things Happen
- Patheos, October 4, 2012
- Gay couple thinks hate crime is linked to local pastor’s anti-gay article
- LGBTQ Nation, October 4, 2012
- A liberal lesbian in a fundy Christian ministry: Not. Good.
- JohnShore.com, October 9, 2012
- Gay Christian singer speaks at Houston church’s Coming Out Day event
- Houston Chronicle, October 10, 2012
- Cross in the Closet: Straight Christian Lives a Year as Gay Man
- ABC News, October 11, 2012
International
- Anti-Gay Christianity Sure Looks Like Anti-Gay Islam
- Pam’s House Blend, October 5, 2012
Jewish
- Words of Torah, for Marriage Equality: Rabbi Harold Kravitz
- Keshet, October 5, 2012
Marriage Equality
- As referendum nears, faithful push for traditional marriage
- Baltimore Sun, October 7, 2012
- Spokane area clergy show support for Referendum 74
- SpokaneFAVS, October 8, 2012
- Marriage Amendment Opponents Conduct Phonathon at Northfield Church
- Northfield Patch, October 8, 2012
- A Catholic, a Muslim, and a Mormon Walk into a Marriage-Equality Campaign...
- The Stranger, October 10, 2012
- Gay Marriage Amendment Splits Richfield Lutheran Churches
- Richfield Patch, October 10, 2012
Misc.
- Religious leaders respond to the rise of the “Nones”
- Religion News Service, October 10, 2012
Mormon
- Mormon Leaders Warn Children of Gay Parents Being Raised in 'Social Experiment': VIDEO
- Towleroad, October 8, 2012
Muslim
- Female Drivers Would Turn People Gay, Saudi Arabian Religious Leaders Warn
- On Top Magazine, October 9, 2012
- Gays And Muslims: The New American Others
- Mint Press News, October 9, 2012
Orthodox
- Gay abandon: Orthodox activists want Moscow free of ‘temptation’
- RT, October 8, 2012
United Church of Christ
- Minnesotans United organizing a faith-based campaign of education around marriage amendment
- United Church of Christ News, October 8, 2012