Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church
IWR News
June 22, 2008
- 1) Life also changes for kids of gay newlyweds
- 2) A love that, today, may dare to speak its name
- 3) A Historic Wedding in San Francisco
- 4) Hundreds of same-sex couples wed across California
- 5) California's gay marriage law revives religious debate over homosexuality
- 6) What the Gay Brain Looks Like
- 7) Presbyterian Pastor To Officiate At Ga. Gay Wedding
- 8) Conservative Anglicans Hold Summit On Gay Clergy
- 9) Homosexual Marriage Threatens Survival of Western Civilization
- 10) Anger at Anglican gay 'wedding'
- 11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
1) Life also changes for kids of gay newlyweds
Oakland, Calif., Tri-Valley Herald, June 17, 2008
a fact that was set in bold relief across the Bay Area early this week: the sheer number of same-sex couples raising families . . . . Eight of the 18 weddings performed at Oakland City Hall on Monday night featured a total of 13 children. Across California, at least 52,000 same-sex couples are raising at least 70,500 children, according to a study last year by a coalition of Bay Area advocacy groups.
2) A love that, today, may dare to speak its name
Minnesota, Star Tribune, June 18, 2008
beyond their carefully constructed world of supportive friends, my moms were private about their sexuality. Circa 1990, they both wore the requisite perms of the era. Neither of them ever left the house without lipstick . . . They never held hands in public. "This is my friend," one mom would say of the other to a new acquaintance. They were protecting the family they had worked so hard to create. I learned to protect myself, too.
3) A Historic Wedding in San Francisco
San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle, June 17, 2008
Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin made history in 2004 as the first couple married in Gavin Newsom's month of love. Four years later, at 5:01 p.m. on June 16, history repeated itself. Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 83, were wed in a private ceremony in the office of San Francisco mayor Gavin Newson on June 16. Outside, the mood was both celebratory and anxious as throngs of media and well-wishers stood shoulder to shoulder waiting to congratulate the city's first married same-sex couple.
4) Hundreds of same-sex couples wed across California
San Francisco, Associated Press, June 17, 2007
Serenaded by a gay men's chorus, showered with rose petals and toasted with champagne, hundreds of tearful same-sex couples got married across the state Tuesday in what some are calling California's new Summer of Love.
. . . George Takei, who played Sulu on the original "Star Trek," beamed as he and his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman, obtained one of the new gender-neutral marriage licenses - . . . "I see before me people who personify love and commitment," a grinning Takei told the crowd. He flashed the Vulcan hand salute from "Star Trek" and, in a twist on the Vulcan greeting from the TV series, said: "May equality live long and prosper."
5) California's gay marriage law revives religious debate over homosexuality
California, Los Angeles Times, June 19, 2008
With same-sex marriage now legal in California, people of faith are renewing a passionate debate over whether homosexuality is sanctioned by God. Christians, Jews and Muslims on both sides of the issue cite the holy writings of their religions. Some note that the Bible depicts man-lying-with-man as an "abomination," while others say it speaks of God's love for all people created in his image.
6) What the Gay Brain Looks Like
Sweden, Time, June 17, 2008
Scans of the brains of gay men in the study, however, showed that their hemispheres were relatively symmetrical, like those of straight women, while the brains of homosexual women were asymmetrical like those of straight men. The number of nerves connecting the two sides of the brains of gay men were also more like the number in heterosexual women than in straight men. Just what these brain differences mean is still not clear.
7) Presbyterian Pastor To Officiate At Ga. Gay Wedding
San Rafael, California, 365Gay.com, June 20, 2008
Now that gays and lesbians can legally marry in California, a retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister is again challenging her denomination's position on same-sex marriage by officiating the wedding of two women. The Rev. Jane Spahr plans to preside over the ceremony Friday afternoon in front of the Marin County courthouse in San Rafael.
8) Conservative Anglicans Hold Summit On Gay Clergy
New York City, 365Gay.com, June 18, 2008
Less than a month ahead of a global gathering of Anglican leaders, conservative bishops angry about the liberalism of churches in the United States, Canada and elsewhere are meeting for a strategy summit in Jordan and Israel.
9) Homosexual Marriage Threatens Survival of Western Civilization
Washington, Christian News Wire, June 17, 2008
"The victors in the ideological struggles of the last hundred years claim that law is simply what we make it--and whatever we want is all right," says Esolen. "It divorces us culturally from traditional values and morality, as we see daily in the call for homosexual 'marriage.' Californians may not notice the results of homosexual marriage tomorrow, but the concept of marriage will eventually be destroyed, weakening the state and the rest of the nation."
10) Anger at Anglican gay 'wedding'
London, BBC News, June 15, 2008
The Reverend Martin Dudley who performed the service said he had no regrets
Traditionalists in the Anglican Church have been angered after two gay clergymen exchanged vows in a version of a marriage ceremony. The service, at St Bartholomew the Great Church in the City of London last month, used formal rites.
11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
- Associational - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
- Consensus - Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble
- Crossbeams - Open and Affirming Ministries of the Gay, Lesbian & Affirming Disciples (GLAD)
- FlashNet - Reconciling Ministeries Network
- GALANews - Gay And Lesbian Association/Welcoming Community Network
- LC/NA News and Events - Lutherans Concerned/North America
- More Light News - More Light Presbyterians
- Outspoken - Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Concerns
- Room for All News and Events - Room for All
- WAVES - Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns (ONA)
Additional News
News Selections offers news from around the world related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, and ally efforts to make the world more accepting and welcoming to everyone of every sexual orientation and every gender identity. It is gathered by Sara Boesser, author of Silent Lives: How High a Price ~ For Personal Reflections and Group Discussions about Sexual Orientation, published by Hamilton Books, an imprint of University Press of America, Inc. Silent Lives provides a valuable resource for individuals, study groups, civic groups, congregations, spiritual groups, and other groups discussing issues of sexuality. It is helpful for personal journaling and sharing with relatives and friends, and is also very useful as a college text, therapy supplement, or a catalyst for group discussions. www.SilentLives.com
