Posts by Believe Out Loud
A Message to Conservative Christians: Evolve On LGBT Equality
In less than 24 hours it was discovered that the Georgia mega church pastor, chosen to give the benediction at the President’s second inauguration, preached anti-gay sermons over a decade ago. Rev. Louie Giglio took quite a public lashing from progressives around the country and has since been replaced by the Rev. Luis Leon, a…
Read MoreChanging Minds: Prominent Evangelical Supports Christ-Like Inclusion
In a stunningly eloquent theological statement, Rev. Steve Chalke, a prominent evangelical Christian leader in the United Kingdom, has announced his support of same-sex relationships. Click through to read his entire statement, but here are a few of the highlights: I feel both compelled and afraid to write this article. Compelled because, in my understanding, the…
Read MoreA Transgender Man’s Journey To Ordination
Shannon T.L. Kearns made news last week as a transgender man who will be ordained in the North American Old Catholic Church. The following is Shannon’s reflection on his calling to ordination. My journey to ordination has been a winding one. I felt a call to ministry at a young age, but it seemed that…
Read MoreEpiscopal Bishop of Rhode Island Supports Marriage Equality
The new Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island has shared his support for marriage equality, as that state is considering such legislation. According to the Rhode Island Future, Bishop Nicholas Knisely supports marriage equality, and will change a diocesan policy to allow priests to bless same-gender couples. This last summer, The Episcopal Church approved a rite…
Read MoreIllinois GOP Chair Rejects Calls to Resign Over Gay Marriage Support
The head of Illinois’ beleaguered Republican Party is staring down a revolt from some state party bosses after he bucked the official GOP line last week and urged state lawmakers to approve same-sex marriage. State GOP Chairman Pat Brady faces growing calls for his resignation, at a time when some Illinois Republicans are rethinking the…
Read MoreTribute to PFLAG Founder Jeanne Manford
Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), died on Tuesday at the age of 92. After a week of tributes to the pioneering straight ally from members of the LGBT community, Rachel Maddow offered her own beautiful eulogy last night on her MSNBC show. Read more at The…
Read MoreWeek In Review
Good Monday morning. Welcome to Believe Out Loud’s Week In Review, a weekly digest of the latest headlines at the intersection of Christian faith and LGBT equality. Last Thursday, the Atlanta pastor scheduled to deliver the benediction at President Barack Obama’s second-term inauguration withdrew from the ceremony, because this past anti-gay sermon surfaced. In response…
Read MoreMethodist Bishop Supports Marriage Equality in Illinois
United Methodist Bishop Sally Dyck chimed in today to support the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, a same-sex marriage bill moving through the Illinois legislature. Bishop Dyck’s statement, published by the Reconciling Ministries Network, affirms marriage as a religious institution that enriches the lives of couples, their children, and their communities: I believe in the…
Read MoreWill SCOTUS Tie The Knot?
When the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided to review two lower court cases focusing on the legal definition of marriage, the nation’s highest court thrust itself into the center of a national debate. How exactly does the U.S. law define “marriage?” More to the point, should same-sex couples have the same federal…
Read MorePastor Withdraws From Obama Inaugural Ceremony Over Anti-Gay Remarks
A pastor chosen by President Obama to deliver the inaugural benediction later this month has withdrawn amid controversy over anti-gay remarks he made more than a decade ago. Read more at NBC News. Image Flickr seannaber
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