Posts by Believe Out Loud
Catholic Reflection on World AIDS Day
These remarks were originally prepared and presented as a keynote address for the World AIDS Day service on December 1, 2012 at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY. Thank you, Fr. Tom for your thoughtful introduction, and a special thank you to the The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Straight Ministry of St.…
Read MoreChristians Commemorate World AIDS Day
By Alison Amyx, Senior Editor, Believe Out Loud Christians around the world gathered this weekend to commemorate World AIDS Day. Celebrated each year on December 1, World AIDS Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and honor those who have died. This year, people of faith…
Read MoreSupreme Court to Review Cases on Marriage Equality
By: Sara Snyder, Believe Out Loud The next few weeks will set the tone about the constitutionality of marriage equality. The Surpreme Court will decide whether to hear cases about the Defense Against Marriage Act and Proposition 8. Although it is unclear if the court will hear both, one, or neither of the cases, the…
Read MoreChristian Leaders Conflicted on Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill
Christian leaders seem to be smack dab in the middle of the debate surrounding Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill. Scott Lively, the President of Abiding Truth Ministries, is taking a majority of the credit for the successful progress of this bill. Lively met with Ugandan government officials in 2009 to denounce homosexuality abroad. He stands behind…
Read MoreAnna Crusis Women’s Choir Presents Simply Love: A Marriage Equality Event
For almost four decades the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir has been recognized as both an agent of social change and a premier performing arts group in the greater Philadelphia region. At its inception in the early 70’s the primary objective of the choir was to provide a safe haven for both gay and straight women…
Read MoreSocial Issues Not A Focus For Young Republicans
Heated discussions may be right around the corner for the GOP as they begin to clean the wounds from the early November elections. And it all has to do with social issues. The Republican Party is currently divided on where their focus should be when talking about issues such as gay marriage, LGBTQ equality, and…
Read MoreTrans 101 for Faith Communities
November 20th marks the 14th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). This event has grown from a candlelight vigil held in Alston, MA following the murder of local transsexual rocker Rita Hester in 1998 to a global phenomenon. As reported by Transgender Europe, 265 people were killed over this past year as a direct result…
Read MoreHonor The Transgender Day Of Remembrance
Every year at the end of November, communities across the globe come together to commemorate the International Transgender Day of Remembrance—a day dedicated to honoring trans* people who have lost their lives to acts of violence over the past year. You can click here to find a TDOR event in your area. This year, Standing…
Read MorePresbyterian Church Challenges Boy Scout Policy
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, a welcoming and affirming congregation in Maryland, joined forces last week with their local boy scout troop to host a rainbow-themed Pancake Supper. Boy Scout Troop 33 adopted the theme to show their support for Ryan Andresen, the California teen who was denied his Eagle Scout award after he came out…
Read MoreKicking Off Transgender Awareness Week
Today marks the start of Transgender Awareness Week. We plan to celebrate by posting news and stories as well as resources for Christians who want to welcome transgender folks and their families in their congregations. In New Hampshire, Stacie Laughton became the first transgender lawmaker elected in the state when she won a seat in…
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