Week In Review

By Joseph Ward, Director, Believe Out Loud

When it comes to standing up for LGBT equality, these church ladies are doing it with a handful of rainbow flags and a heart full of grace. Similarly, this Christian teen has found her voice standing up for LGBT equality too.

Alumni from Bob Jones University shed light on what it's like growing up as LGBT people in a "fundamentalist world."  

Google is pushing for gay rights around the world. “We see this fundamentally as an issue of equality,” says Google cofounder Sergey Brin. So do these African American Marylanders.

Rev. Jeff Krehbiel talks about the challenges for Presbyterian clergy caught between their pastoral obligations and the confines of church polity. Our friends at More Light Presbyterian discussed their hope for the future of the church following their 220th General Assembly.

It’s been estimated that as many as 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Now, a new study confirms this estimate, and family rejection was sadly identified as the leading cause.

Last Monday, the Episcopal Church overwhelmingly voted in support of the ordination of transgender people, and made it illegal to discriminate against them in their church. A day before this historic vote, Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge offered this first-hand reflection.

Here’s a final thought from Believe Out Loud member Maggie Chatham: “I really think that we focus too much on the Christians who want to keep homophobia wrapped in their faith. We should be shining a spotlight on affirming Christians and showing both the Christian community and the LGBT community that there are plenty of us who don't want to see the two groups so at odds. There are plenty of us who want to feel we belong to both communities" –July 11th @BOL Facebook.

Did you catch another headline we should talk about? Let me know by clicking here. If you know someone who would like to receive Believe Out Loud's Week In Review by email, they can sign up here. Be sure to join the conversation via Twitter @BelieveOutLoud and @JosephWardIII.

_________________
Image courtesy of Joseph Ward, III