Voters Exercise Liberty of Conscience at the Polls

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Over at Religion Dispatches, Senior Editor Sarah Posner suggests a religious realignment is underway with white religious conservative representing a coalition in decline, while President Obama has a more diverse one, made up of various religious and non-religious voters, whites, blacks, and Latinos. For example, as Billy Graham celebrated his 94th birthday the day after…

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Four More Years: The Road Ahead for LGBT Rights

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When President Barack Obama voiced his personal support of same-sex marriage in May 2012, many predicted the move would cost the President crucial votes in the November election. Instead, voters turned out on Tuesday to support President Obama and gays and lesbians. Maine, Maryland, and Washington became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage by…

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Christians Lead the Way toward Marriage Equality

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By Alison Amyx, Senior Editor, Believe Out Loud In a historic vote for LGBT equality, same-sex marriage was legalized by popular vote in Maine, Maryland, and Washington. The victory in Maine is particularly sweet because voters rejected same-sex marriage in 2009. Advocates in the state have worked for three years to change public opinion in…

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Vote for Equality

Election Day is here, and it’s time to get out the vote for equality! Residents of four states will consider marriage equality on their ballots. A popular vote for same-sex marriage in any of these states would be historic. No matter which state we call home, making our voices heard in this election is critical.…

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Reflections on the Repeal of DADT: Interview with Alexander Nicholson

Alexander nicholson on fox news.

In his book Fighting to Serve (Chicago Review Press, October 2012, Alexander Nicholson a former U.S. Army Human Intelligence Collector, brings to this story his unique experience as the named plaintiff on the lawsuit that got DADT declared unconstitutional. He holds the distinction of being the only individual personally involved in every single front of…

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Roger Williams goes Baptist on legendary evangelist Billy Graham

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Since Billy Graham stepped into the political arena, the man dubbed as America’s pastor kept good on his promise to “do all he can” to help Republical presidential nominee Mitt Romney. For starters, his son, Franklin Graham, who questioned if Romney and Obama were Christians in February 2012 announced that evangelicals can now vote for…

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Four states cast votes for marriage equality

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As the nation heads to the polls tomorrow, voters in four states will consider ballot initiatives on same-sex marriage. In Minnesota, supporters of marriage equality have organized to defeat Amendment 1, which would limit marriage to the union of one man and one woman. Catholics for Marriage Equality make this simple argument against the amendment:…

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McNeill Not Guilty for Marrying Her Wife

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After nearly three years in decision-making limbo, Laurie McNeill is considered not guilty for violating her ordination vows when she married her wife, Lisa, in Massachusetts in 2009. The openly gay former pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in New Jersey was removed from her position when she announced her marriage to the congregation. “I loved being…

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LGBTQ Issues Not Mentioned in Presidential Debates

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Presidential debates, while filled with talk of policies and jabs against the opposing candidate, neglected to mention the words gay and lesbian, and also failed to discuss LGBTQ related issues. With only a brief mention from President Obama about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the first debate, marriage equality, hate crime legislation, and equal employment opportunities…

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