GLAAD’s Religion, Faith & Values program works to elevate LGBT-affirming voices of faith in mainstream, regional, and community media. To find out more, visit www.glaad.org/faith. For additional religion and faith updates, be sure to subscribe via our online registration form. We welcome suggestions at faith@glaad.org.
Spirit Day was last Friday. The United Church of Christ was the largest denomination to go purple, but the Catholic support for Spirit Day was strong, as well! Communities of faith preached sermons and writote about bullying. It’s a continuation from National Coming Out Day and Ally Week.
‘Religious Liberty’ has been a hot topic lately, thus warranting its own section this week. GLAAD released facts for media about religious liberty and LGBT equality. We also wrote and placed an op-ed about LGBT equality and persecution of LGBT supporters within religious communities. This theme has also been picked up by the Center for American Progress and Canyonwalker Connections.
We’ve been writing a lot about religious support of marriage equality lately, with four marriage equality votes in Minnesota, Maryland, Maine, and Washington. However, Unitarian Universalist congregations joined Baptists been working for protections for families in local communities.
Even as fewer people are listing a religious affiliation, LGBT students in Catholic colleges and universities are organizing to form a network to advocate for equality. Jennifer Knapp is still singing, the Torah still supports marriage equality, and LGBT Muslims make the case for relationships. And the number of LGBT Christians in New York City might surprise you.
Baptist
Hodges: Why churches should support a Utah gay-rights law
Salt Lake Tribune, October 11, 2012
Va. church under fire for gay ordination
American Baptist Churches, October 11, 2012
Black Churches
Black, gay and Christian, Marylanders struggle with conflicts
Baltimore Sun, October 13, 2012
African-American clergy deliver powerful video message for marriage equality in Maryland
United Church of Christ News, October 19, 2012
In black churches, a gay-marriage divide
The Seattle Times, October 23, 2012
'NoWedge' Event Shows Blacks and LGBTQ Not Exclusive Identities
Believe Out Loud, October 23, 2012
Catholic
Gay marriage “endangers religious liberty”: Catholic bishop
Seattle Pi, October 8, 2012
Former Catholic priests announce support for same-sex marriage
Seattle Times, October 11, 2012
LGBTQ student groups at Catholic colleges form pro-equality association
Washington Post, October 11, 2012
Catholic Students Coming Out Gay, Want More Rights in Church
Opposing Views, October 11, 2012
Gay Washington senator remains rooted in faith
National Catholic Reporter, October 11, 2012
Will Catholic Voters Support LGBT Rights in Washington State?
Religion Dispatches, October 15, 2012
Don Mario Bonfanti, Italian Catholic Priest, Comes Out As Gay On Facebook: Report
Huffington Post, October 17, 2012
Most U.S. Catholics Back Marriage Equality, But Knights of Columbus Pour Millions into Opposition
Religion Dispatches, October 18, 2012
Students Fight for Gay Rights at Catholic University
The Student Fix, October 18, 2012
Phoenix diocese donates to anti-gay marriage effort, draws criticism
KTAR: The Voice of Arizona, October 23, 2012
My Catholic Conscience Calls Me to Approve Referendum 74
The Seattle Lesbian, October 24, 2012
Christian
Swarthmore Christian Fellowship Allied With Controversial Christian Organization
The Phoenix, October 11, 2012
Christian author goes undercover to understand homosexuality
Spokane FAVS, October 11, 2012
A New Testament: There may be a larger community of gay Christians in New York than you suspect
Next Magazine, October 12, 2012
Bible study group bridges religion and sexual orientation
Flagler College Gargoyle, October 12, 2012
On Being a Christian Lesbian
Salon.com, October 15, 2012
Matthew Vines talks the Bible, homosexuality and same-sex marriage
Political Fiber, October 22, 2012
Church Pastor Kicks Gay Keyboardist Out For Being One Of The Boys In The Band
Queerty, October 23, 2012
Disciples of Christ
Missouri Pastor Goes Viral on Gawker: “Separation of Church and Hate”
Religion Dispatches, October 22, 2012
Eastern Orthodox
Gay pride march banned in Serbia
Seattle Times, October 3, 2012
Gay pride march that Christian Orthodox church opposed banned by Serbian police
Tri Valley Central, October 10, 2012
Episcopal
Liberty and justice for all in Maryland
Washington Post, October 10, 2012
Book Review | 'God Believes In Love'
Courier-Journal, October 19, 2012
Gay bishop to speak about gay marriage in Maine
The Boston Globe, October 23, 2012
Evangelical
Franklin Graham sidesteps Christianity-Mormonism debate with CNN's Piers Morgan, says gay marriage is #1 issue for churches
God Discussion, October 16, 2012
Billy Graham's Anti-Gay Fundamentalism
Huffington Post, October 17, 2012
The Love We Dare Not Ignore
Christianity Today, October 17, 2012
Ted Haggard Endorses Civil Marriage Equality
Box Turtle Bulletin, October 21, 2012
Man says N.C. church confined him because he was gay
Charlotte Observer, October 23, 2012
When Straight People Tell Gay Stories
Religion Dispatches, October 22, 2012
Hindu
First gay sports fest shows changing Nepal attitudes
CNBC, October 15, 2012
International
Tension in Greece over 'blasphemous' Jesus Christ play
Y Net News, October 13, 2012
Jewish
A Jewish perspective on same-sex marriage
The Independent, October 10, 2012
Keep On Coming Out
Keshet, October 11, 2012
Words of Torah, for Marriage Equality: Rabbi Aaron Meyer
Keshet, October 12, 2012
Ethics of the Mother
JUF News, October 15, 2012
Gathering of the transgender tribe set for Berkeley
jWeekly, October 18, 2012
Lutheran
Gay Marriage Amendment Splits Richfield Lutheran Churches
Ritchfield Patch, October 10, 2012
First United Lutheran, San Francisco, Returns to the ELCA
ReconcilingWorks, October 18, 2012
Marriage: It's About Love and Commitment (A Transgender Perspective)
Huffington Post, October 23, 2012
Marriage Equality
Clergy, lay people counter Santorum visit with Rally for Love demonstration
Spokane FAVS, October 9, 2012
Law would not force churches to perform gay weddings, spots note
Baltimore Sun, October 10, 2012
A Catholic, a Muslim, and a Mormon Walk into a Marriage-Equality Campaign...
The Stranger, October 10, 2012
Faith plays big role in gay marriage debate
Kare 11, October 11, 2012
Various Christian Leaders Unite to Defeat Marriage Amendment
ABC 6 News, October 11, 2012
An open letter to the archbishop
Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 14, 2012
Religious leaders show a united front for marriage equality
WCSH, October 14, 2012
Frederick church, residents join to sing, talk about passing Question 6
Frederick News Post, October 15, 2012
Follow the Money: The Knights of Columbus and Anti-Marriage Politics
Box Turtle Bulletin, October 18, 2012
Knights of Columbus Spending Millions to Stop Marriage Equality
Equally Blessed, October 18, 2012
Catholic Church donating unprecedented funds to stop gay marriage
Current, October 19, 2012
Local impact of ballot questions: Same-sex marriage
Penobscot Bay Press, October 19, 2012
Religious implications of N.Y. federal appeals court striking down DOMA
Washington Post, October 19, 2012
Religious leaders urge approval of Referendum 74
West Seattle Herald, October 19, 2012
Vashon’s faith community holds gathering and vigil in support of marriage equality
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, October 20, 2012
Metropolitan Community Churches
Gay Christian singer speaks at Houston church’s Coming Out Day event
Houston Chronicle, October 10, 2012
Miscellaneous
Gay rights and the ‘None’ percent
Dallas Voice.com, October 12, 2012
“Out & About” interview with Ross Murray (Audio)
WWRL, October 16, 2012
Values issues: Religions’ stances on homosexuality vary
The Columbus Dispatch, October 19, 2012
Mormon
‘Romney’s Gay America’ Dissects the Mormon Religion in Relation to Homosexuality
The Seattle Lesbian, October 20, 2012
Muslim
Malaysia: Muslim Transsexuals Lose Legal Battle to Wear Women’s Clothes
International Business Times, October 11, 2012
Celibacy Is No Prescription for Queer Muslims
Huffington Post, October 16, 2012
Religious Liberty
The Facts: Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Does Not Impact Religious Liberty
GLAAD, October 10, 2012
Does Religious Liberty Mean Bullying Your Own Flock of Believers?
Huffington Post, October 12, 2012
Same-sex marriage does not obstruct your religious liberty
LGBTQ Nation, October 14, 2012
‘Religious Liberty’ Does Not Give People a License to Discriminate
Center for American Progress, October 15, 2012
Spirit Day
Churches Kick Off Ally Week and Look Ahead to #SpiritDay
GLAAD, October 15, 2012
Spirit, Scripture, and Bullying: Bryan Fischer Gets It Wrong Again
Owldoltarous, October 15, 2012
Why Not Wear Purple on Friday?
America, October 15, 2012
Support our youth - Go Purple on Spirit Day!
United Church of Christ News, October 16, 2012
Lessons from the Biting Dogs
Owldoltarous, October 16, 2012
Don’t Stand Idly By This Jewish Social Action Month
UJA Federation of NY, October 18, 2012
Unitarian Universalist
Trial to begin for Holland pastor arrested after City Hall protest
M-Live, September 25, 2012
Standing on the side of love
Bangor Daily News, September 27, 2012
First Unitarian's new settled minister is social activist
South Coast Today, September 29, 2012
Sarasota Closer To Having Domestic Partner Registry
Sarasota Patch, October 2, 2012
Union Township approves revision to human rights ordinance
Central Michigan Life, October 4, 2012
32 Days Till Minnesota Votes on My Family
Huffington Post, October 5, 2012
Charlie and Gail Opatz: The marriage of Franny and Irene
Winona Daily News, October 5, 2012
Love Makes a Family: Nationally-Touring Exhibit Confronts Prejudice
KBTX, October 12, 2012
Locals in Odessa March For Equal Rights
KWES, October 15, 2012
MAINE COMPASS: Gay Christian minister asks that Mainers vote in support of love
Morning Sentinel, October 18, 2012
Green: Gays no threat to Christians
Amarillo Globe-News, October 19, 2012
United Church of Christ
UCC Southeast Conference churches to band together for LGBT awareness at pride parade
United Church of Christ News, October 11, 2012
Seattle congregation bringing together music to support marriage equality
United Church of Christ News, October 11, 2012