Washington Blade - December 10, 2004

NEW DELHI (AP) - Religious leaders in India are being urged to educate their followers on the dangers of HIV/AIDS to reduce the stigma attached to the deadly virus. In India's tradition-bound society, religious leaders wield enormous influence in shaping attitudes and prejudices, Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist leaders said last week at a meeting on the disease in New Delhi. "In a society which is so ruled by morals, religious leaders can play a big role in taking the message of AIDS prevention to the population,'' said Enos Das Pradhan of the Church of North India, a Christian denominational church. His views were echoed by others, who said they had a responsibility to educate because government and civic campaigns had failed.

Synod withdraws ministry's recognition over lesbian pastor

SAN BERNARDINO, California (AP) - An urban ministry that aids the poor and homeless had its official recognition removed by Lutheran church officials in a dispute over an associate pastor who is in a romantic relationship with another woman. The decision by the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which oversees congregations in parts of Southern California, marks the most severe punishment of a Lutheran congregation over the issue of gay clergy in more than a decade. "We thought those days were over," Pastor David Kalke, who leads the Central City Lutheran Mission, told the Los Angeles Times. Kalke said he intends to lead Central City as an independent Lutheran congregation. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allows gay clergy only if they are celibate. Thirteen other congregations that have installed openly gay pastors have received milder punishments. Pacifica Synod Bishop Murray Finck said the Central City mission violated the church's constitution when it installed Pastor Jenny Mason in April because Mason is not on the church's official roster of recognized pastors. He said the Oct. 29 decision has nothing to do with Mason's sexual orientation but also said Mason is not on the roster because she is gay and not celibate.

Ala. legislator wants to ban gay literature

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Works including those by Tennessee Williams and Alice Walker may be taken from public and university libraries if a state legislator is successful in banning gay-themed literature, the Auburn Plainsman reported. Rep. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) authored a House bill to keep literature with gay protagonists or textbooks that present homosexuality as natural off of library shelves because it conflicts with Christian beliefs, the Plainsman reported. The measure would prohibit public funds or facilities for the "purchase, production or promotion" of materials that "sanction, recognize, foster or promote a lifestyle or actions prohibited by the sodomy and sexual misconduct laws of the state," according to the campus newspaper. "I don't want someone teaching my children that it's OK to have an alternative lifestyle," Allen said.

Some churches take surprising role in Wis. debate over gay unions

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) - More than 150 religious leaders met last week to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman - and how to fight its passage. "It's really an abomination the way the church treats the gay and lesbian people in our midst," said June Kjone, 83, a longtime activist and former missionary for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I hope that I'll be able to make some changes or change a few minds in my own particular church." Religious leaders and activists on both sides of the issue are organizing to have a role in the coming debate as Wisconsin lawmakers consider amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

Court rejects brief from gay-friendly clergy in N.J. marriage lawsuit

TRENTON, N.J. - Courts have denied submission of a friend-of-the-court brief from clergy who support gay marriage, while approving a Catholic Conference brief opposing such unions, according to Guston & Guston, L.L.P., of Glen Rock, N.J. The firm represents more than 100 New Jersey clergy who seek to file court papers in support of Lambda Legal's lawsuit to give gay couples marriage equality in the state, according to the press release. "The unfortunate assumption in this country is that people of faith oppose marriage equality for same-sex couples which is clearly not the case here in New Jersey," Debra Guston, one of the attorneys who represents the clergy.

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