Religious Left

When the California supreme court made gay marriage a reality many were screaming "activists judges". At Pam's House Blend we read how the Pennsylvania supreme court has reversed hate crime legislation in that state. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision striking down amendments that added sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, gender, and mental and physical disability to the state hate crime law. The law, known as the Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act, was amended in 2002 to include protections for these groups by a two-thirds majority of the state legislature. Then-governor Mark Schweiker signed it into law. The lower court ruled last November that the law was invalid because it had been tacked onto another, nonrelated bill. The ruling did not criticize the content of the law, only the way in which it had been passed. I would imagine few from the religious right consider these judges "activists judges"?

By CASSANDRA KANE Staff Writer Lebanon Daily News Lebanon, PA ANNVILLE — Supporters of gay rights outnumbered protesters last night during an appearance by a renowned and openly gay bishop of the Anglican church at the Allen Theatre. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Allen and signed copies of his book, “In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God.” The audience also viewed a short documentary film, “For the Bible Tells Me So,” which chronicles Robinson’s relationship with his family before and after he revealed his homosexuality. Robinson was invited here to kick off Freedom Week at Lebanon Valley College, which is sponsored by Freedom Rings, a student gay-straight alliance. Last night’s event drew four protesters, who stood on the sidewalk across Main Street from the theater. Members of Silent Witness stood on the sidewalk in front of the theater holding rainbow-colored umbrellas. “We are a human spiritual fi...