The author of “God and the Gay Christian” shares his 10 reasons why God loves Gay Christians:

1. The term “homosexual” didn’t exist until 1892.
2. Sexual orientation is a new concept—one that the Christian tradition hasn’t addressed.
3. Celibacy is a gift, not a mandate.
4. Condemning same-sex relationships is harmful to the LGBT community.
5. Sodom and Gomorrah involved an attempted gang rape, not a loving relationship.
6. The prohibitions in Leviticus don’t apply to Christians.
7. Paul condemns same-sex lust, not love.
8. Marriage is about commitment.
9. Human beings are relational.
10. Faithful Christians are already embracing LGBT brothers and sisters.

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The post 10 Reasons God Loves Gay Christians first appeared on COIL Foundation.

The question has been asked “Why Tyler?”

There are so many answers to this question. Tyler represented a true turning point in the progression of what we know of as bullying. His case brought to light what can happen in this age of technology and social media. We often hear about “at risk youth” and sometimes forget that there are countless youth who would never fall into a category such as that who are in an equally fragile place.

Why sing about this?

Because we live in a world that is not close to safe for LGBTQ young people. We are responsible for bringing this into the light and accountable if we do nothing to make it better.

That is why we are singing this music – to bring awareness – and, hopefully – create something safe and lasting.

To the world, Tyler had it all. He had just begun college at a great school – Rutgers. He had a wonderful, salt of the earth, family. Two brothers, mom and dad. He had music at the core of his being – a music major. He had just come out and was not thrown out or disowned. And yet, as he began to experience life as a young gay man, something terrible happened. His roommate secretly filmed him and posted it on social media.

Tyler felt he had nowhere to turn, no recourse. He was caught in the depths of despair and for him the only way out was to jump from the George Washington bridge and end his life.

What if?

What if Tyler had heard a gay men’s chorus sing songs of affirmation – or the stories of others who have found themselves in the depths of despair. He may not have felt so alone and without options.

This is only part of why we are proudly singing this music.

Details of the project

The post Why Tyler? first appeared on COIL Foundation.

Research finds that same-sex unions are happier than heterosexual marriages. What can gay and lesbian couples teach straight ones about living in harmony?

This article in The Atlantic looks at the traditional arguments against same-sex marriage, and then explores the many ways in which same-sex marriage might actually save the institution of marriage.

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The post The Gay Guide to Wedded Bliss first appeared on COIL Foundation.

Marianne O’Donnell, NBC News, Jun 27, 2012

The family of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student who killed himself after discovering his roommate, Dharun Ravi, had spied on him is speaking out for the first time since Ravi’s conviction of hate crimes earlier this year. Ravi was convicted of 15 counts of hate crimes, but served only 20 days in jail.

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The post The Courage of Tyler Clementi’s parents to face the truth first appeared on COIL Foundation.

Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, June 18, 2012

An evangelist talk-show host’s campaign to control the Republican Party.

Bryan Fischer, the host of “Focal Point,” a Christian radio talk show, seeks to make his opposition to gay rights the official stance of the Republican Party.

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The post The ugly face of Religion-based Bigotry first appeared on COIL Foundation.

Last week, TWO’s Wayne Besen and filmmaker Lisa Darden interviewed Dr. Spitzer at his Princeton, NJ home. This exclusive interview is the first time Spitzer has been videotaped speaking in-depth about his change of heart.

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The post Dr. Robert Spitzer Discusses Retracting His Infamous ‘Ex-Gay’ Study first appeared on COIL Foundation.

1. It is not good to be alone.
2. God Loves Us and Does Not Want Us to Harm Ourselves
3. Compassion Is Holy
4. Justice Is Holy
5. Because the Hebrew Bible Doesn’t Say What the Right Says it Does
6. Because the New Testament Doesn’t Say What the Right Says It Does
7. Evolution of Religious Doctrine Is Healthy
8. Curbing Brutishness Is the Point
9. Because the Separation of Church and State Helps the Church
10.  Sexual Diversity Is a Beautiful Part of God’s Creation

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The post Ten Reasons Why Gay Rights Is a Religious Issue first appeared on COIL Foundation.