Why I Might Not Get Confirmed In The Catholic Church

St peter's square in vatican.

I have not yet gone through confirmation in the Catholic Church. There is a high chance that I will eventually, but I haven’t right now. In the Catholic Church, it is around this time that kids around my age get confirmed through their own free will or with their parents dangling college tuition money over…

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Silent No More: Denouncing “Christian” Voices Of Hate

A church with a steeple at night.

When I read that President Museveni had signed the hateful anti-LGBTQ law in Uganda, the first words that came to mind were from the opening song in “Les Misérables.” It’s called “Work Song.” Prisoners in a work camp are expressing their hope and their despair. One sings, “I’ve done no wrong, sweet Jesus hear my…

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Rethinking “Religious Freedom” Laws

A woman holds up a sign that says discrimination is not ok.

I have been horrified to see the new wave anti-LGBT laws across the country that have been put forward under the guise of “religious freedom,” the idea that freedom of religion requires us to allow people to be mistreated. These laws give a wide range of businesses and services providers the right to deny service…

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Russia And The Olympics: It’s Not A Game!

The olympic rings in front of a stadium.

An Italian advocate for transgender rights and former member of parliament was detained at the Olympics for unfurling a rainbow flag with “Gay is OK” on it. Russian officials denied it, but the Italian foreign ministry activated its crisis protocol for Italian travelers in trouble. Russian President Vladamir Putin showed up last week at a celebration party for…

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Sochi Olympics: Spiritual Art Supports Russia’s LGBT Rights Struggle

A man in a suit is being escorted by police.

Image Detail: “De Profundis” by Tony O’Connell Artists are using spiritual imagery to draw attention to LGBT rights in Russia as the Olympics begins in Sochi today. The holiness of the Russian struggle for LGBT equality is emphasized in two new artworks. These pieces are “De Profundis” by queer British artist Tony O’Connell and “Postcard to Putin”…

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Rev. Gil Caldwell Officiates His First Same-Sex Marriage

Two men in suits shaking hands at a ceremony.

As a Civil Rights Movement “foot soldier”, I have used these words of Martin Luther King, Jr. to guide my activism, not just for people of African descent, but for all justice struggles; “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” I officiated my first same-sex marriage the Sunday of this year’s Martin Luther King weekend,…

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Starkville: Mississippi’s First City To Recognize LGBT Equality

An empty street with cars parked on it.

On January 21, 2014, the Starkville Board of Aldermen took a historic step making our city the first municipality in Mississippi to pass a resolution showing support for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents. The passage of this resolution brings hope to the LGBT community of Starkville, as we struggle daily with claiming our…

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Standing Together To Protect LGBTQ Catholic Church Faculty

A group of people standing in front of a sign that says keep mr 2013.

homeStand with Catholic high school students this Friday, January 31st for ‘Z-Day‘ to raise awareness for LGBTQ faculty being fired within the Catholic Church by wearing orange and spreading #ZDAY on social media. About a month ago, news broke out from a neighboring Catholic high school that their gay Vice Principal had been fired for marrying his…

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Tweet The Pope To Protect LGBTQ People Around The World

Pope john paul ii waves to a crowd of people.

A world of humanity is mobilizing around the #PopeSpeakOut Twitter campaign to persuade Pope Francis to speak out against the growing tide of anti-LGBTQ laws around the globe. The campaign launched yesterday, and we encourage our supporters who use Twitter to participate. The campaign organizers are New Ways Ministry, The Fellowship, and a growing number of…

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Global Church Protests Arrests in Nigeria, Advocates for LGBT People

A large church with many people in it.

The global leader of the world’s largest church that affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people condemned the mass arrests and torture of LGBTQ people in Nigeria. The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, the global moderator of Metropolitan Community churches, announced a call for all faith leaders and persons of good will to speak out…

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