May 2 is International Harry Potter Day, the anniversary of the climactic Battle of Hogwarts in the final Potter book, when love overcomes hate and death. It’s a very Easter kind of occasion, and intentionally so, according to author J….
Speaker offers primer on LGBTQ words and how parents may affirm their kids
Parents can support the emotional and physical well-being of LGBTQ children by accepting the language and concepts they use to express their emerging gender identities, according to Hannah Edwards. Edwards — executive director of Transforming Families, a Minnesota-based, peer-led support…
UMC gives first approval to restructuring plan
The United Methodist Church is one step closer to restructuring its worldwide body to give greater latitude to each region to shape its faith and traditions. Delegates to the thrice-delayed General Conference voted 586 to 164 for an amendment to…
Ugandan Court endorses anti-gay law
Smarting from the disappointment of not having an anti-LGBTQ law passed by the Ugandan government last year reversed by the country’s Constitutional Court, members of the LGBTQ community in Uganda are rallying to further challenge the controversial act. Nicholas Opiyo, a…
A new book on the Bible and LGBTQ folks by a straight, white man is not what we need
A conservative biblical scholar has changed his mind about LGBTQ folks. I supposed I should be excited, but I find myself quite appreciative of Anna Sieges’ insightful and appropriately critical comments about Richard B. Hays’ (along with his son Christopher) book…
The healing ‘heresy’ of Richard Hays
As an LGBTQ Christian, one of the realities that has perplexed me from the very beginning of my journey to reconcile my faith and my sexuality was the insistence of Christians, particularly Catholics and evangelicals, that our theologies of sexuality…
Appeals court today hears case of employee who was fired for objecting to use of rainbow during Pride Month
A federal appeals court will hear a case today that epitomizes the worst fears of evangelical Christians about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace. Snyder v. Arconic involves the claim of Daniel Snyder of Davenport, Iowa, against his…
Family Policy Alliance battles ‘Satan’ with plan to end abortion and IVF, outlaw porn, stop transgender identity and take over public schools
The Family Policy Alliance is perhaps the most influential conservative Christian pro-family organization most Americans have never heard of. Founded four decades ago by Focus on the Family, the nonprofit serves as Focus’ public policy partner, promoting its political agenda…
God’s divine plan for eclipses and ellipses
A few years ago, my teenage son beat me at chess. Because I’m a horrible chess player, I took the defeat with aplomb. Later the same day, though, he beat me at Scrabble. Now, that just plain hurt. I rarely…