FIVE LGBT RELIGIOUS ADVANCES IN 2012

http://www.glaad.org/blog/five-lgbt-religious-advances-2012


Thursday, December 27, 2012 - 11:36am by Ross Murray, Director of Religion, Faith and Values at GLAAD

There was a time, not so long ago, when religion was a unified front against LGBT equality. However, over the years, we have seen that paradigm change. 2012 witnessed religious people and organizations at the forefront of LGBT advancement. This past spring, GLAAD released “Missing Voices” which noted that pro-LGBT religious voices were largely missing in the media, despite significantly increased LGBT inclusion in religious communities. We publically challenged the media to include more pro-LGBT voices of faith. By the end of the year, we saw several religious leaders stepping out and speaking up. The support came from some pretty surprising places. Take a look.

State Marriage Equality Victories

Marriage equality won big in Maine, Maryland, and Washington, and an anti-marriage equality constitutional amendment was defeated in Minnesota. One major reason for our wins was the leadership of LGBT faith organizations. Each state campaign included a faith director, and in many instances, national LGBT religious organizations dedicated resources and staff efforts to ensure marriage equality. The playbook for marriage equality has been re-written with religious voices leading the way. Even as we close out the year, over 260 faith leaders in Illinois are making public their support for marriage equality.

Catholics Support LGBT Equality

In so many ways, this item is related to the post above it, but it has its own special twist. The Roman Catholic hierarchy was the staunchest and leading opponent to marriage equality. Catholic Bishops required anti-gay prayers at mass, made outrageous statements, and even persecuted some of their most devout followers. The Roman Catholic hierarchy poured tremendous money and energy into opposing LGBT equality, particularly in Maine, Maryland, Washington and Minnesota. The Knights of Columbus donated $6.5 million to anti-gay causes. However, despite the pressure from Roman Catholic hierarchy, Catholic political leaders passed marriage equality legislation and Catholic people voted overwhelmingly for LGBT equality. Some even suffered backlash from their leadership for being outspoken. However, GLAAD was able to lift up stories and examples of people like Barbara Johnson, Dominic Sheahan Stahl, Lenin Cihak, and the Equally Blessed Coalition of LGBT Catholic organizations.

LGBT Students at Conservative Religious Colleges

Often, conservative religious schools are known for squashing any dissenting voices, particularly involving LGBT concerns. This year, LGBT and allied students and alumni from conservative religious schools are finding each other and making their voices heard. Students at Biola University formed Biola Queer Underground, sparking on-campus and off-campus conversation about how LGBT students are treated at the school. LGBT alumni of Bob Jones University formed BJUnity and marched in the New York City Pride Parade. The blog “Queer at Patrick Henry College” shared the anonymous postings of LGBT students. The president of Patrick Henry College first threatened to sue the blog, but later stated that there could be no LGBT students at Patrick Henry, since every student signs an agreement, promising not to be gay. Orthodox Jewish Yeshiva University in New York City witnessed one of its faculty members transition, allowing Joy Ladin to continue teaching. Students at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, as well as students at Catholic University of America, have been organizing to form LGBT student organizations, and encountering administration roadblocks.

More at link!