Russian Supreme Court Bans ‘LGBT Movement’ and Labels Activism as ‘Extremist’
The Russian Supreme Court, in a lawsuit with no defendants, has ruled in favor of designating the “international LGBT social movement” as extremist.
LGBT
US Court Says It Has No Jurisdiction to Decide Lawsuit of Congregations Wanting to Leave United Methodist Church
A US county court has ruled it has no jurisdiction to determine whether the United Methodist Church acted unfairly toward congregations in Alabama and Florida who are trying to leave the denomination because of disagreements on LGBT issues, the Christian Post reports.
Knesset shoots down opposition bill to enable adoption for same sex couples
The Knesset rejected on Wednesday an opposition lawmaker’s bill that sought to officially enable same-sex couples and single people to adopt children.
Malta: Formerly gay Christian man faces jail accused of promoting ‘conversion therapy’
In the first criminal case of its kind, a formerly gay Christian man in Malta is facing trial and a possible prison sentence for allegedly promoting ‘conversion therapy’ that helps people dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Malta banned all such counseling and therapy in 2016, becoming the first country in the European Union to institute such a prohibition.
Church of England publishes draft prayer of blessing for same-sex marriages
The Church of England has published draft prayers for God’s blessing for same-sex couples, the denomination said in a press release last week. The move follows the Church of England’s recently announced plans to continue the prohibition of marriage ceremonies in church but to allow clergy to bless homosexual civil partnerships in church on a voluntary basis.
As fears for LGBTQ+ rights mount, Israel may appoint first-ever openly gay Knesset speaker
As Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu continues to dole out jobs to fellow lawmakers from his conservative Likud party ahead of the establishment of the new government, it seems increasingly likely that Amir Ohana will be named the next speaker of the Knesset, becoming the first openly gay person to hold the position.
Russia: Putin signs law banning all LGBT expression in public life
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law that effectively prohibits any public expression of LGBT behavior or lifestyle in Russia, Reuters reports.
Supreme Court grapples with Christian business owner’s objection to Colorado’s pro-LGBTQ law
The Supreme Court grappled Monday with balancing free speech against gay rights, hearing a case involving a Colorado website designer who says she shouldn’t be compelled to violate the tenets of her faith by creating products for same-sex marriages.
LGBTQ group vandalizes Focus on the Family sign after gay bar mass shooting: “Their blood is on your hands”
A group claiming to represent the LGBTQ community has admitted responsibility for writing “THEIR BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS” on a sign belonging to the Focus on the Family Christian ministry headquarters in Colorado Springs following the recent deadly mass shooting at the local Club Q gay bar, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
249 more congregations vote to leave United Methodist Church over homosexuality issue
As congregations continue to leave the United Methodist Church mainline Protestant denomination over division on LGBTQ issues, 249 North Carolina congregations disaffiliated from the UMC on Saturday, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
58 US churches vote to disaffiliate from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ stance
As the US United Methodist Church continues to lose congregations over its acceptance of same-sex marriage and ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, 58 churches in Louisiana officially disaffiliated from the denomination at the weekend, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
UK to restrict gender-affirming treatment to children; US says access to transgender treatment for children should be advanced
While the US Biden administration has stated access to gender-affirming care for children must be expanded, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has announced plans to restrict transgender treatment for under-18s, including banning puberty blockers outside of clinical trials.
Supreme Court to hear major elections challenge and LGBT, religious rights dispute in December
The Supreme Court announced Tuesday it would be hearing two of its major cases this term in December, one involving the power that state legislatures have over elections and the other dispute weighing LGBT rights versus religious liberty.
Embattled Christian baker appeals ruling over gender transition cake request
Embattled Christian baker Jack Phillips is challenging a court’s determination that he violated Colorado’s anti-discrimination law when he refused to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.
Faculty, students sue Christian school over LGBTQ hiring ban
Divisions over LGBTQ-related policies have flared recently at several religious colleges in the United States. On Monday, there was a dramatic new turn at one of the most rancorous battlegrounds – Seattle Pacific University.
31 United Methodist conservative churches want to leave denomination immediately over LGBTQ issues
Thirty-one North Carolina United Methodist Church (UMC) congregations that oppose the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ issues have threatened legal action if they are prevented from exiting the UMC immediately and without having to follow a 2019 approved disaffiliation plan which some churches say is onerous, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.
Conservatives split from Australian Anglican church over LGBTQ issues
A contingent of conservatives who oppose same-sex marriage has separated from the Australian Anglican church to launch a new denomination called the Diocese of the Southern Cross, Church Leaders reports.
Florida Christian School Head Won’t ‘Cower’ to Threats Amid Trans Policy Backlash
A Florida Christian school administrator has received death threats after saying students only would be referred to by their sex assigned at birth, and LGBTQ pupils will be asked to leave.
US Episcopal Church advocates all forms of gender-affirming treatment for people of all ages
The US Episcopal Church last month passed a resolution advocating access to gender-affirming treatment “in all forms” and for adults and children “of all ages.” The Episcopal Church is a mainline Protestant denomination that is part of the Anglican Communion.
Biden administration exempts religious schools from LGBTQ mandate on lunch funding
Private religious schools won’t be required to comply with the Biden administration’s gender mandate to qualify for student-lunch funding under a newly released exemption.