religion
Mum to hold Brisbane ‘healing workshop’ for LGBTIQ people of faith rejected by family
When evangelical Christian mum Susan Cottrell’s daughter came out as gay, she faced a devastating choice between her LGBTIQ child or her non-affirming church. Despite gains made legally for LGBTIQ people, it is tragically common for them to still face family rejection, particularly in religious families. The Texas mum of five (pictured) became vice president …
PM Scott Morrison clarifies he doesn’t believe ‘gay people go to hell’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been forced to clarify that he doesn’t believe gay people are “going to hell” after he came under fire by Labor leader Bill Shorten for evading the question on Monday. Initially asked about his opposition to same-sex marriage, Morrison would not clarify whether his personal view had shifted but said, …
LGBT Conversion Therapy: ACL wants to ‘pray the gay away’
Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Martyn Iles claims banning LGBT conversion therapy discriminates against Christians. I read a blog article today. It was by Martyn Iles, Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. It concerns his interview for a forthcoming 60 Minutes feature on LGBT Conversion Therapy. In the article, he defends the practice of …
‘Untenable’: Israel Folau dumped by sponsor in continuing fallout
Israel Folau has been dropped by Australian sportswear brand ASICS as the fallout continues from his social media posts proclaiming that “hell awaits” homosexuals. ASICS, which sponsors Folau personally as well as the national Wallabies team, said in a statement on Wednesday their partnership with the controversial footballer had become “untenable”. “ASICS is dedicated to …
‘Over the edge’: Gay rugby player Ian Roberts’ sobering message to Israel Folau
Ian Roberts, the first Australian NRL player to publicly come out as gay, has issued an emotional plea to Israel Folau as the Wallabies star fights to save his career. Folau attended a code of conduct hearing on Saturday that will determine whether his Rugby Australia bosses have grounds to sack him after he posted …
Ex-pope blames 60s sexual revolution for abuse crisis after ‘gay agenda’ fail
Former Pope Benedict this week blamed the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church on the sexual revolution of the 1960s and an alleged consequent collapse of moral values. This follows two powerful cardinals claiming earlier this year that the “gay agenda” was responsible. “It could be said that in the 20 years from 1960 …
Israel Folau under fire for ‘unacceptable’ anti-gay social media posts
Wallabies star Israel Folau has angered bosses at Rugby Australia with new social media posts targeting gay and transgender people. After causing outrage almost exactly a year ago with his anti-gay social media commentary, Folau was cautioned by bosses about being respectful online. But the devout Christian posted an image to his 300,000 Instagram followers …
Federal government orders review of religious legal exemptions
The federal government has launched a review into religious exemptions in anti-discrimination laws that allow religious institutions to discriminate against LGBT students and teachers. Attorney-General Christian Porter said on Wednesday the government has asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to undertake the review following the release of the Ruddock religious freedom review panel’s report …
Greens slam renewal of $245 million school chaplain program in federal budget
The Greens have slammed the federal government’s renewal of funding for the national school chaplaincy program, saying LGBTIQ students would be better supported by secular counsellors. In Tuesday night’s Budget, the federal government announced that the program would be continue to be funded $245.7 million over the next four years. “$245.7 million for religious chaplains …
Elton John joins boycott of hotels owned by Sultan of Brunei over anti-gay laws
Sir Elton John has joined a growing list of those condemning Brunei’s introduction of brutal new anti-gay laws by calling for a boycott of hotels owned by the country’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. People in the small Asian nation who engage in homosexual activity can be flogged and stoned to death under strict new Islamic laws …