Religious Left

1/15/2009 - 1 hr 30 min GayTalk at 9 AM (PST). Call in (347) 237-5246. 1996 Obama supported gay marriage. Scientologists Targeting HIV-Positive Protesters. Atlanta protest Rick Warren. ACLU sues Health and Human Services. Dallas County overturns condom ban. Click here to listen.

By John Wright The Dallas Voice Bishop V. Gene Robinson says he believes that far from condemning gay people, the Bible can be a source of liberation for LGBT people, just as it was for African-Americans.V. Gene Robinson, who became the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church in 2003, will be at Dallas’ Black Tie Dinner in November to accept the 2008 Elizabeth Birch Award. Robinson sat down with Dallas Voice recently to talk in a telephone interview about his upcoming visit and other issues. DV : You mentioned St. Thomas. Does it surprise you that even in a conservative diocese like this, that we have an openly gay rector, Father Steven Waller? V.G.R. : No, it actually doesn’t surprise me. After all, what we say — which is, “We’re everywhere” — is true, and of course I don’t need to tell you, but Dallas has a vibrant and wonderful gay community. And, you know, the fact of the matter is the gospel talks about God’s love for all of God’s children, and there are going to be peopl...

by Kevin Krause The Dallas Morning News A questionnaire on homosexuality that was handed out to Dallas County Sheriff's officers during a required diversity training class is causing a stir within the agency. One of the questions asks officers to agree or disagree with the following statement: "The Bible states that homosexuality is immoral." That has upset some Christian deputies, who see it as unnecessary prying into their religious beliefs, according to a sheriff's employee association. The questionnaire does not ask for names. And Kim Leach, the sheriff's spokeswoman, said officers were not required to fill it out. full article

By John Wright The Dallas Voice Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potters House in Dallas reportedly has agreed to meet with local LGBT families and representatives from the national gay rights group Soulforce on Sunday, May 18. Paige Schilt, a spokeswoman for Soulforce, said this week that a contingent of 50 people plan to attend services at the Potters House on Sunday. Following the services, Jakes, staff members and congregants from the Potters House have agreed to meet with them, Schilt said. full article

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News A review board of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas will investigate complaints about the past participation of the Rev. Arthur Mallinson on a Web site for gay priests. Father Mallinson, who has served the diocese for more than 25 years, resigned Tuesday as pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in McKinney after only two weeks there. He did so amid complaints to the diocese from the McKinney parish and beyond that were sparked by widely circulated Internet postings about his participation in the Web site several years ago. full article

(Austin, TX) This spring, Soulforce celebrates 10 years of relentless nonviolent activism for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) freedom. In keeping with Soulforce's "take it to the streets" ethos, a mix of formal events and grassroots action will mark the milestone anniversary: On Saturday, April 5, Equality Virginia will present the Fifth Annual Commonwealth Award to Soulforce Co-founders Rev. Dr. Mel White and Gary Nixon. On Friday, April 25th at 7:30pm, Soulforce hosts a 10th Anniversary Gala and Reunion at the Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Airport South. On Saturday, April 26th, at 7:00 am, Soulforce invites all who care about justice for LGBT people to gather in downtown Fort Worth's General Worth Square for a training in nonviolence and a vigil outside the United Methodist General Conference. Ten years ago, Rev. Dr. Mel White and his partner Gary Nixon began laying the groundwork for a new social movement. Under the auspices of "Soulforce," a...