Free Republic

Being gay is a gift from God, asserts one church in Ohio. That’s the message that Central United Methodist Church is spreading throughout their community via a digital billboard, launched on Monday. This “simple statement,” the church announced, is “intended to be a gift to those who have experienced hurt and discrimination because of their real or perceived sexual orientation.” “The Church seeks nothing less than the healing of the world, and Central UMC wants to offer words and acts of healing to those hurt and marginalized,” the website states. Jeff Buchanan, the director of Exodus Church Equipping & Student...

All across the United States, Presbyterians have been voting in each of the 173 regional presbyteries to determine whether or not the Presbyterian Church (USA) will drop the ban on gay clergy. The yes vote in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 12, puts the denomination seven votes away from the simple majority required to enact this historic change... We believe God's Spirit is at work as more people are understanding that faith and character are more important considerations for ministry than one's marital status or sexual orientation," said Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians. The 198-143 vote on...

An overwhelming majority of Americans say elementary school is no place to promote the homosexual lifestyle, and even among liberals there is the strong belief that such lessons should be left outside the door of the classroom, according to a new poll. The results are from a WND/WENZEL Poll conducted for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies. "Whether they object on moral grounds or simply out of concern that many U.S. schools are failing in their core missions of teaching basics doesn't really matter – the vast majority of American adults want this type of...

It's easy to be self-righteous when you're out and proud. But Rachel Maddow's recent comments remind us that it's just not that easy for some folks. ..."Gay people -- generally speaking -- have a responsibility to our own community and to future generations of gay people to come out, if and when we feel that we can." To her credit, she does add that gay people should decide for themselves on the "if and when." I would be lying if I didn't say that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't find myself frustrated at all the...

We've been saying it for a while: The sexuality agenda is now in the elementary schools, and it's worse than you can imagine.

The ministry of defence says it’s backing ‘out in the open’ military participation during the week-long event. The homosexual representatives of the armed forces will have their own special boat in the famous Canal Parade, traditionally held on the afternoon of the first Saturday in August.

It's only a matter of time and circumstance before Disney movies feature homosexual characters or "families," according to one of the company's animators. In a little-noticed story by the Australian news website News.com.au, animator Andreas Deja, who reported working on the Disney films "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King," said the company is open to the concept of homosexual entertainment. "Is there ever going to be a family that has two dads or two mums? Time will tell," he said. "I think once they find the right kind of story with that kind of concept, they...

Aging lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in California have higher rates of chronic disease, mental distress and isolation than their heterosexual counterparts, according to a report released yesterday by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. An estimated 170,000 adults ages 50 to 70 in California identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual in 2007. Researchers estimate that the national population of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults age 65 and older will double to 3 million by 2030. The report's findings indicate their current and growing health needs, and the unique challenges they face as they age. Based on data from...

New state legislation that seeks to ensure the accomplishments of gays are accurately reflected in California’s classrooms is causing fresh controversy here in Alameda, where the school district’s efforts to put anti-gay bullying lessons in place at elementary schools pitted local religious conservatives against gay-led families and their allies. Last week, several Alameda residents told The Island they got an e-mail from a group called Committee to Change AUSD School District urging them to contact members of the state Senate’s Education Committee and request that they vote against SB 48, a bill from Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, that would...

Older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in California are more likely to suffer from chronic physical and mental health problems than their heterosexual counterparts, a new analysis has found. They also are less likely to have live-in partners or adult children who can help care for them. The research brief was based on data from the California Health Interview Survey, the nation’s largest state health survey, gathered in 2003, 2005 and 2007 by the Center for Health Policy Research at the University of California, Los Angeles. Older gay and bisexual men — ages 50 to 70 — reported higher rates...

With thousands of people from around the world planning to visit Central Florida for the Gay Days festivities in early June, religious conservatives from the Sunshine State are warning families not to visit the Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday of the month. “Approximately 30,000 children will rush with their parents to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando on Saturday, June 4, only to be thrust into a crowd of approximately 15,000 people reveling about gay pride,” noted David Caton, the executive director of the conservative Florida Family Association, on Thursday. Caton, who has led numerous protests targeting companies that advertise...

It’s a sickeningly sad time in America when I find myself regularly reporting on the assault against reason and morality waged by the radical homosexual left. I realize some of you may be weary of hearing about this topic, but as I keep saying, it is not going to go away, and if we do not stand firmly against the homosexualization of our institutions, our culture, our schools, and our laws, we will become a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. We’re already almost there. One of the most serious areas of battle being waged against truth by the homosexual mafia is...

It doesn't matter if it wasn't meant for our ears. It doesn't matter that NBA players might do it all the time. And it doesn't matter in the slightest that Kobe Bryant(notes) wasn't using the usual, hateful, meaning behind a homophobic slur that starts with an "f" and ends with those who are mindful of the pain and suffering that the LGBT community has gone through cringing as we hear it. Before we get to the specifics, here is Bryant's statement on the incident: "What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration...

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 by the NBA on Wednesday and criticized by numerous gay-rights groups for directing an anti-gay slur at referee Bennie Adams during a game Tuesday against San Antonio. Bryant was irritated after he was called for an offensive foul and received his 15th technical of the season during the game. He punched a chair on the Lakers' bench before he sat, threw down a towel and yelled "Bennie!" before muttering a curse word followed by the word "faggot." His outburst was captured on TV and prompted TNT analyst Steve Kerr to immediately say, "You...

Friday, April 15, the Homosexual Day of Silence is being promoted in government schools across the country. Welcome students. Today is the big day. Today is your chance to take a stand against the forces of bigotry and homophobia that unfairly targets our brothers, sisters and others in the gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual and gender optional community. By your very presence here, you signify your complete acceptance and approval of alternative lifestyles, sex on demand and the right of all to engage in whatever sexual practices feel good at the moment. You should be proud. And you may all now...

Delaware will be the eighth state to allow civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. The state House of Representatives voted 26 to 15 Thursday night in favor of the measure. Governor Jack Markell, who has been a gay rights advocate throughout his public service career, has said he will sign the civil union bill, which gives gay couples the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as heterosexual married couples. The Senate passed the bill last week. "We are tremendously proud that the Delaware House has passed civil union legislation," said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. "The fact that...

Suicide attempts by gay teens -- and even straight kids -- are more common in politically conservative areas where schools don't have programs supporting gay rights, a study involving nearly 32,000 high school students found. Those factors raised the odds and were a substantial influence on suicide attempts even when known risk contributors like depression and being bullied were considered, said study author Mark Hatzenbuehler, a Columbia University psychologist and researcher. His study found a higher rate of suicide attempts even among kids who weren't bullied or depressed when they lived in counties less supportive of gays and with relatively...

It is often said, “So goes California, so goes the nation.” So, when the California State Senate passed SB 48, The FAIR Education Act, last week that would mandate all California Public Schools (including alternative and charter schools) be forced to teach gay history, the positive contributions of gays and banning subject matter reflecting adversely upon gays… you better believe this trend is coming your way regardless of where you live. The FAIR Education Act is not only distasteful, it is disgusting. The bottom line is that this legislation would shove a left wing social agenda down the throats of...

Two weeks ago, former federal district judge Vaughn Walker, who ruled last summer in Perry v. Schwarzenegger that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, publicly disclosed for the first time that he has been in a same-sex relationship for the past ten years. A straightforward application of the judicial ethics rules compels the conclusion that Walker should have recused himself from taking part in the Perry case. Further, under well-established Supreme Court precedent, the remedy of vacating Walker’s judgment is timely and necessary. Let’s begin with the relevant facts that bear on the recusal question. According to his recent disclosure, Walker...

Near the end of last month's three-concert run at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles paused to share some quiet time and recognize those who contributed to the shows' success. The tribute session took an unexpected turn when one of the group's newest singers raised his hand to speak. "I want to thank everyone for welcoming me," said tenor Chris Yraola, a 24-year-old music teacher from Eagle Rock. "It means a lot because, No. 1, I'm a little shy. And, No. 2, well, I'm a straight guy." For a second, there was...