New Zealand passes law banning conversion therapy
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday near-unanimously passed a legislation that bans practices intended to forcibly change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, known as conversion therapy. The bill, which was introduced by the government last year, passed with 112 votes in favour and eight votes opposed. A pedestrian walks […]
In lawsuit, Catholic lawyer claims World Relief rescinded job offer because he is gay
RNS A lawyer in Spokane, Washington, is suing an evangelical-run humanitarian organization for discrimination, alleging the organization rescinded his job offer due to his sexual orientation. Emmanuel Campos Gonzalez, a licensed attorney, filed a lawsuit against World Relief on 24th January stating that the group violated Washington’s law against discrimination. “The allegation he’s making is […]
Christian MP goes on trial in Finland for calling homosexuality a disorder
Helsinki, FinlandReuters A Finnish Christian democrat MP and former minister of the interior went on trial on Monday for agitation against gay people over comments in which she described homosexuality as a developmental disorder and a sin. In the unprecedented case over freedom of speech, the Helsinki district court must also decide whether citing the […]
Top German Catholic bishop urges shift on women’s ordination, homosexuality
RNS Bishop Georg Bätzing, the current president of the German national conference of Catholic prelates, called for a more inclusive church on Tuesday, suggesting that the Catholic hierarchy could shift its positions on women’s ordination and homosexuality. According to the Catholic News Service, Bätzing, who heads the Diocese of Limburg, near Frankfurt, told a German […]
Faith leaders react after Kenyan court upholds bans on gay intimacy
Nairobi, KenyaRNS In a case that pitted influential faith leaders against gay rights groups, Kenya’s High Court declined on Friday to force the repeal of sections of the penal code widely seen to discriminate against homosexuals. A ruling in favor of repeal would have been a trailblazing step for an Africa court, but the three-judge […]
Updated: Israel Folau sacked by Rugby Australia over social media post
Updated: 8:30am, 18th MaySydneyReuters Five weeks after they first committed to sacking Israel Folau, Rugby Australia finally terminated the Wallabies fullback’s contract on Friday on the recommendation of a disciplinary panel that decided he had breached their rules on inclusion. The protracted saga was sparked by Folau’s Instagram post on 10th April that said hell […]
Australian rugby player Israel Folau takes a hit in the pocket as his wait continues
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Israel Folau’s protracted dismissal by Rugby Australia looked no closer to a conclusion on Thursday but the 30-year-old was already being hit hard in the pocket for his decision to post a social media message many viewed as homophobic. While the panel that on Tuesday adjudged Folau had been guilty of a ‘high […]
ESSAY: ISRAEL FOLAU – THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES
PAUL CLARK argues that the rush to judgement over Australian rugby player Israel Folau’s tweets illustrates the shallowness of the current conversation around morality…
Australian rugby player Israel Folau asks for code of conduct hearing following controversial social media posts
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has asked for a code of conduct hearing to be scheduled by Rugby Australia after the governing body said they intended to terminate his contract for controversial social media posts. Australia’s Israel Folau runs in to score their first try in a game against England at Twickenham on 24th […]
English rugby club chides Vunipola for “liking” Folau’s controversial post
Reuters English rugby team Saracens has reprimanded Billy Vunipola and warned him about future conduct after he “liked” condemnatory comments about gay people and others by Australia fullback Israel Folau on social media. England number eight Vunipola was among some 30,000 Instagram users who “liked” the post by Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, saying “sinners” including […]