Married gay man says he was denied communion at his mother’s funeral Mass

A gay man in Louisiana, US says he was denied communion at his mother’s funeral Mass by the presiding Catholic priest because he’s in a same-sex marriage.

Tim Ardillo, who was an altar boy at the very church where the funeral was held, was in line with his young son next to his mother’s coffin when the pastor of the church Rev Mark Beard refused the man communion.

The funeral Mass as held at St Helena Catholic Church in Amite, Louisiana, on July 10.

According to the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper, Ardillo said the priest told him that he’s being refused because he was married outside the church. He however believes it’s because he was listed in his mother’s obituary as being married to another man.

The newspaper reported that Beard did not return multiple calls when he was contacted in the week following the funeral.

According to Ardillo, the church passed out a quotation from 1 Corinthians at Mass the following Sunday, which read, in a portion highlighted in red ink, ‘Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks in judgment of himself.’

The paper reported that Ardillo has since received an apology from the Diocese of Baton Rouge, which directly oversees the Amite church as well as a personal apology from New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond, though his office declined to comment on the series of incidents.

The post Married gay man says he was denied communion at his mother’s funeral Mass appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/married-gay-man-says-he-was-denied-communion-at-his-mothers-funeral-mass/

WATCH: 'Reporting Tonight: Thomas Roberts,' First Out Gay Man To Anchor Network News

The out MSNBC anchor was flawless as he anchored the newscast that made Lester Holt, Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw and others legends at NBC.

read more

Dawn Ennis

www.advocate.com/media/2015/07/18/watch-reporting-tonight-thomas-roberts-first-out-gay-man-anchor-network-news

Minister marries partner after stepping down as church leader

A United Methodist Church pastor married his partner after walking away from his job as a minister.

Earlier this week Rev. Benjamin Hutchison stepped down as minister from Cassopolis UMC. Cassopolis is located in the midwest state of Michigan, approximately 25 miles from South Bend, Indiana.

According to the South Bend Tribune, the church’s district superintendent asked if ‘he is practicing homosexuality.’ Hutchinson’s sexuality was known by church members (he’s been the church’s leader for approximately three years).

On its website, UMC states ‘that all persons are individuals of sacred worth,’ but  the ‘United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.’

Yesterday, 17 July, Hutchinson married his partner, Monty Hutchison. In attendance were approximately 30 ordained UMC pastors.

‘I’m here because I believe in the full inclusion of our LBGTQ community. I’m also here because I believe that what we are doing here today is an act of biblical obedience, even if it is considered disobedient of our Book of Discipline,’  the Rev Matt Weiler said to the South Bend Tribune.

Although UMC rules against its minsters officiating a same-sex wedding, Rev Mike Tupper signed the wedding certificate.

‘There are a couple of (biblical) scriptures that are anti-gay. But the Scripture is clear about being accepting of all people,’ Tupper, said in an interview before the ceremony.

What will happen to the ministers who took part in the wedding is unclear. First a complaint must be filed. After that, there is a what’s known as a ‘Just Resolution Process.’

As for Hutchison, he’s worried about the attention his former congregants are now facing.

‘I don’t mind being the face of change,’ he said. ‘But I do mind seeing the church members hurt by what has happened. They’re good people.’

The post Minister marries partner after stepping down as church leader appeared first on Gay Star News.

James Withers

www.gaystarnews.com/article/minister-marries-partner-after-stepping-down-as-church-leader/

Stockton, California PD Reaches Out To LGBT Community In Wake of Lieutenant’s Hateful Anti-Gay Letter

Last week, we told you how a police lieutenant in Stockton, California, wrote a disgusting letter to the editor in response to the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling, in which he called homosexuality “vile and sinful.”

Lt. Toby Will (right) listed his title and employer below the letter, prompting the police department to launch an internal investigation into whether he violated policy.

On Monday, Will was placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds, but it’s unclear whether he’ll actually be disciplined. Meanwhile, the police department is trying to make amends with the local LGBT community.

The Stockton Record, which published the letter, reports that Police Chief Eric Jones (above) attended a forum at the San Joaquin Pride Center on Thursday to discuss the issue:

Jones said the department is being careful about balancing Will’s right to free speech, as opposed to purporting to be speaking on behalf of the Police Department. The question is whether Will should have used his title, he said.

Pride Center board member Robert Kolber also addressed the issue, saying that the Pride Center protects the rights of individuals to express their opinion, even if the center disagrees.

“But what was disturbing is that this individual intentionally put himself in the position of giving the appearance that he was speaking for the Police Department,” he said. “That’s the issue.”

More from KCRA-TV:

“I was very shocked,” said Renee Hall, president of the board for Pride Center. “I feel like if something like that gets out in the public from a pretty prominent person, then it gives folks the ability to act on those things.”

Stockton police said their policy is to give supervisors sensitivity training every two years.

“We are responsible for treating everyone fairly and equitably – and that’s what tonight was all about,” Jones said. “Us coming down and discussing these issues and topics in the community.”

Watch a report on the incident from NBC News below.

The post Stockton, California PD Reaches Out To LGBT Community In Wake of Lieutenant’s Hateful Anti-Gay Letter appeared first on Towleroad.

John Wright

Stockton, California PD Reaches Out To LGBT Community In Wake of Lieutenant’s Hateful Anti-Gay Letter

New poll shows US evenly split over Supreme Court’s marriage decision

Although marriage equality is legal in all 50 states, the US remains divided over same-sex unions.

According to an Associated Press-GfK poll, 39% approve of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell Vs Hodges ruling; however, 41%  disapproved and 18% have no opinion at all. This same division is in  permitting LGBTI couples to marry in the states of respondents; 42% favor and 40% opposed.

The survey also shows support for protecting religious objections to same-sex marriage. Fifty-sex percent think it’s more important for the government to protect religious liberties, and 39% consider protections for LGBTI citizens more important.

When it comes to clerks, those in charge of issuing marriage certificates, just under half think  they should have religious objections. The same percentage are opposed.

A large majority, 59%, want wedding related businesses to have the right to refuse same-sex couples; 46% think businesses in general should be allowed not to serve customers due to religious objections. A slight majority, 51%, are opposed to that right.

As to be expected, there is a gulf between the two major parties. Only 22% of Republicans approve of marriage equality in their state; 65% of Democrats are in favor.

The post New poll shows US evenly split over Supreme Court’s marriage decision appeared first on Gay Star News.

James Withers

www.gaystarnews.com/article/new-poll-shows-us-evenly-split-over-supreme-courts-marriage-decision/