Maybe Same Sex Marriage IS God’s Will

A cross sits on top of a hill at sunset.

We are not the same America. We are not the same America that we were 20 or even 10 years ago. For decades, civil liberties framed the discourse about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) justice. Now marriage, a union that is sacred for so many, is at the forefront of our national consciousness in…

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Supreme Court Ruling Brings Nationwide Marriage Equality

Two men kissing in front of a crowd of people.

Today’s historic Supreme Court ruling means same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry and equal respect for their marriages across the United States. This is a momentous win for freedom, equality, inclusion, and above all, love! ADD YOUR NAME: Christians Pledge To Work For Justice Beyond Marriage Equality Believe Out Loud recognizes the…

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Proposed North Carolina Law Is An Affront To Religious Liberty

A man in a suit and tie is looking at a piece of paper.

On Monday the North Carolina Senate voted to override Governor McCrory’s veto of SB2, a bill that would authorize government officials across the state to refuse to perform marriages or even issue marriage licenses when they have a religious objection. As a pastor, I consider this bill an affront to both the dignity of all North Carolinians…

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Marriage Equality Hangs In The Balance At The Supreme Court

A black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a.

With thirty-seven states now legal proponents of marriage equality (LGBTQ Americans and allies alike) knew it would be just a matter of time before the issue would be brought to U. S. Supreme Court. But after the long awaited April 28th Supreme Court hearing of Obergefell v. Hodge I was left worried. Mary Bonauto, Civil…

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A Message To White LGBTQ Christians & Allies

Nighttime protest with Queers 4 Racial Justice sign

As we prepared for our “big launch” of our new #BOLAction tool on Facebook today, we discussed what would happen if another piece of anti-LGBT legislation came to the forefront of our movement right before the Supreme Court’s hearings on marriage equality. What would we prioritize? What would we say and do? Regrettably, we didn’t…

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How To Spread The Gospel After Marriage Equality

A year and a half ago, I was asked by a couple from Alabama to perform their wedding. These two women had been together for 26 years, but never foresaw the opportunity have their state recognize their marriage. They were Sacred Harp singers who were going to come to Minnesota for our September singing convention.…

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The Catholic Case Against Religious Exemptions

A stained glass window depicting the virgin and child.

In post-Hobby Lobby America, the question of whether religious exemptions should be included in laws prohibiting employment discrimination against LGBT people has increased in complexity. It used to be that religious leaders and lawmakers could strike a comfortable balance of protecting faith groups’ rights to self-determination and LGBT people’s rights to equal opportunity. But the Supreme…

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