Much has happened since our last religion news summary: Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named Pope Francis I; Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien in the UK resigned his post after admitting to sexual misconduct; evangelical pastor and author Rob Bell came out in support of marriage equality. In response to the papal election, LGBT Catholics and allies offered critiques of the Bergoglio's former comments about LGBT people, and their claims were complimented by new poll data that shows overwhelming support among the Catholic laity for marriage equality.
Hear what GLAAD President Herndon Graddick had to say about the papal election.
A new article this week tackles a growing trend of masking discriminatory policies in language of religious liberty among religiously conservative people. This comes on the heels of a New Mexico court's decision to uphold their ruling in favor of a lesbian couple denied wedding photography services by a religious woman. And a North Carolina church won't marry straight couples until all couples can be married. Meanwhile, GLAAD is working with United for Marriage to call for marriage equality as the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Prop 8 and DOMA.
Take Action: Join GLAAD in calling for marriage equality
An openly gay rabbi has been tapped to lead the Jewish Reconstructionist movement. LGBT Muslims gathered in Detroit. And there are several fascinating LGBT and religion themed films: LGBT Presbyterian leaders gathering at a 'secret gay church camp' and the story of an LGBT advocate who set himself on fire at the Vatican to protest the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on LGBT people. Both are worthy of your support!
Baptist
- Southern Baptists Convention's Embarrassing Poll
- Religion Dispatches, March 12, 2013
Catholic
- Andrew Sullivan, Gay Catholic Blogger, Speculates Pope is Gay
- The Huffington Post, February 27, 2013
- Breaking: Top UK Opponent of Marriage Equality Admits to Sexual Misconduct
- GLAAD, March 3, 2013
- Embattled Cardinal O'Brien apologized for 'my sexual conduct'
- CNN, March 3, 2013
- London Church that Rejected Oscar Wilde Opens its Doors to Gay Catholics
- International Business Times, March 3, 2013
- British cardinal admits sexual misconduct
- The Washington Post, March 3, 2013
- Time to start believing? Archbishop to open formal dialogue with gay Catholics
- The Independent, March 3, 2013
- Gay student wants Yukon bishop to back off
- CBC News, March 4, 2013
- Gay rights controversy at Catholic school triggers debate
- The Windsor Star, March 6, 2013
- TUC: Catholic gay teachers could be sacked by their schools for entering into same-sex marriages
- Pink News, March 7, 2013
- A Catholic prays his church will stop hurting gay people
- Gay Star News, March 7, 2013
- Catholic bishops oppose Violence Against Women Act over lesbian provisions
- Religion News Service, March 7, 2013
- Confessions of a Gay Married Priest; A Must Read for Cardinals and Justices
- Religion News Service, March 7, 2013
- Nearly Two-Thirds of American Catholics Support Gay Marriage, Poll Shows
- San Francisco Weekly, March 7, 2013
- Hoping for surprises from Catholic Church
- Washington Blade, March 7, 2013
- Catholic Support for Same-Sex Marriage Jumps to 54 Percent: Quinnipiac Poll
- Towleroad, March 8, 2013
- Poll: Catholic gay marriage support up
- Politico, March 8, 2013
- US gay religious group says the Catholic Church must stop harming LGBT people
- Pink News, March 12, 2013
- Gay Vatican suicide now documentary film
- Washington Blade, March 12, 2013
- When a Gay Man Set Himself on Fire at the Vatican: VIDEO
- Towleroad, March 13, 2013
- Argentinian Cardinal Bergoglio Named the New Pope
- Towleroad, March 13, 2013
- GLAAD's President Herndon Graddick on Election of New Pope
- GLAAD, March 13, 2013
- New Pope, Old Message for LGBTs
- Religion Dispatches, March 13, 2013
- New Pope Accused of Conspiring in Kidnapping
- Religion Dispatches, March 13, 2013
- Dignity's gay Catholics respond to Pope Francis' past rhetoric with hope
- Last Word, March 13, 2013
- Gay and lesbian community reacts to election of Pope Francis
- King 5 News, March 13, 2013
- Pope Francis Against Gay Marriage, Gay Adoption
- The Huffington Post, March 13, 2013
- Gay Catholics size up new pope
- The Sun City Times, March 16, 2013
Christian
- Ready to come out as pro-gay? Welcome to the club.
- The Washington Post, February 27, 2013
- The Reformation Project from Matthew Vines l Training Christians to Eradicate Homophobia in the Church
- Canyonwalker Connections, March 3, 2013
- Responding to a Gay, Celibate Christian: 'We Are No Less His Creation'
- The Atlantic, March 4, 2013
- Blessing gay marriage
- The Christian Century, March 4, 2013
- 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in the Black Church
- The New York Times, March 4, 2013
- Tennessee Christian Right Finds New Ways to Mess With Gay People
- The Nashville Scene, March 5, 2013
- The Reformation Project: Training Christians to Eradicate Homophobia From the Church (VIDEO)
- The Huffington Post, March 5, 2013
- Christian teen performs anti-gay rap in the forest, films it
- Salon, March 6, 2013
- Kristin Chenoweth: Jesus would be horrified by anti-gay Christians
- Gay Star News, March 7, 2013
- Building bridges: My interview with Justin Lee, founder of the Gay Christian Network (Part 1)
- God and Politics in the UK, March 11, 2013
- Christian Minister/Lawmaker's Bill Allows Counseling Students to Refuse Treatment to Gays
- The New Civil Rights Movement, March 12, 2013
- Gay at a Christian college
- Inside Higher Ed, March 18, 2013
Episcopal
- The Episcopal Church's gay rights pilgrimage
- The Washington Post, February 28, 2013
- Bishops sign amici curiae briefs in support of civil marriage equality
- Episcopal News Service, February 28, 2013
- Rev. Luis Leon reveals response to his reference to gays in presidential inauguration
- The Washington Post, March 5, 2013
- Federal lawsuit filed in SC Episcopal Church schism
- The State, March 6, 2013
Evangelical
- Evangelical Seminary Uses GLAAD-Nominated Films to Spark Gay/Christian Dialog
- GLAAD, February 28, 2013
- This anti-gay Christian rap will destroy your soul
- The Daily Dot, March 5, 2013
- 'A Betrayal': Evangelical Leaders Slam GOP Shift on Gay Marriage
- Business Insider, March 15, 2013
- Rob Bell Comes Out for Marriage Equality
- The Huffington Post, March 18, 2013
International
- On being gay and Catholic in the Philippines
- Dot429, March 5, 2013
- Ruling upheld that Scottish Catholic charity must accept adoption applications from gay couples
- Pink News, March 6, 2013
- Yukon education minister asks Whitehorse Catholic school to remove anti-gay document
- Xtra, March 6, 2013
- Archbishop of Canterbury opposed gay sex and adoption
- The Telegraph, March 8, 2013
- Victoria's largest Anglican church moves toward equality
- Vic News, March 12, 2013
Jewish
- JCPA Tables Gay Marriage Resolution
- The Jewish Week, March 4, 2013
- Gay Synagogues' Uncertain Future
- Tablet, March 11, 2013
- Gay man chosen to lead U.S. Reconstructionist rabbis
- Haaretz, March 12, 2013
Marriage Equality
- Native American Tribe in Michigan Enacts Marriage Equality
- Queerty, March 6, 2013
- Chicago Churches Say They'll Ban Politicians That Support Same-Sex Marriage
- Queerty, March 8, 2013
- Ex-Gay Org Loses Tax-Exempt Status
- Religion Dispatches, March 12, 2013
- Photographer Who Refused to Shoot Commitment Ceremony Cites Artistic Freedom
- Queerty, March 13, 2013
Methodist
- A layman's plea on gay issue
- The United Methodist Reporter, March 12, 2013
- North Carolina Church Won't Marry Straight Couples Until Gays Wed
- Queerty, March 17, 2013
Mormon
- An Amicus Brief in Support of Gay Marriage—From Utah?
- Religion Dispatches, March 4, 2013
- Stranger At The Table: What It Means To Be Young, Gay And Mormon In The 21st Century
- Queerty, March 8, 2013
Muslim
- Detroit conference for gay and lesbian Muslims aims for inclusion, empowerment
- Detroit Free Press, March 1, 2013
- Gay Muslims Unite! Queer Muslim Gathering in Detroit this Weekend!
- LiveLeak, March 1, 2013
- Muslim leader says intersex hijras deserve equal rights
- Gay Star News, March 5, 2013
- Why All Muslims Are Talking About Queer Sexuality
- The Huffington Post, March 13, 2013
Presbyterian
- Learning to Tell My Gay, Christian Story
- The Huffington Post, March 5, 2013
Religious Liberty
- Kentucky Bill Enshrining Religious Bigotry Goes Before Senate Committee Today
- Queerty, March 6, 2013
- Anti-LGBT "Religious Freedom" Bill Passes Kentucky Senate Committee
- Queerty, March 7, 2013
- The 'Religious Liberty' Bullies
- The Daily Beast, March 18, 2013
Unitarian Universalist
- Sex, Love, & Violence: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in a Globalized World
- Standing on the Side of Love, February 25, 2013
- Thirty Days of Love 2013: A Spiritual Journey for Social Justice
- Standing on the Side of Love, February 28, 2013
United Church of Christ
- UCC joins amicus briefs on marriage equality to Supreme Court at national, conference levels
- UCC News, March 1, 2013