Episcopal Diocese of Albany votes to join group opposing gay priests


SPECULATOR, N.Y. -- The Episcopal Diocese of Albany has agreed to join a conservative theological network that opposes the ordination of gay priests.

The vote to join the Anglican Communion Network was ratified Saturday by a majority of Episcopal clergy and laypeople from 19 New York counties during the diocese's annual convention 70 miles north of Albany.

Anglican Communion Network, a national orthodox organization was started in response to last year's appointment of Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of Anglicanism.

Leaders of the diocese, including Bishop Daniel Herzog, were quick to point out that the vote does not represent a break from the national Episcopal Church.


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Marriage measure draws support
By Jenny Kania, Delaware State News

DOVER - Hundreds gathered Saturday at Legislative Hall in Dover to support a constitutional amendment that would ban homosexual marriages and civil unions.

Proposed by Sen. John C. Still III, R-Dover, Senate Bill 246 would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The Delaware Family Foundation sponsored the rally, which was attended by local politicians, pastors and community members.

"I am thrilled to see so many people here today," said foundation chairwoman Kathleen Melonakos. "We could be home doing laundry, mowing the lawn or playing checkers, but instead we listened to that little voice in our heads that says, 'Marriage is important.'"


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Businesses slow to put roots in Utah
Associated Press


SALT LAKE CITY - Dr. Evan Unger, chief executive of a Tucson biotechnology company, would like to move his business to Utah, which he considers "one of the most business-friendly states in the country.’’

He likes Salt Lake City’s airport, its highways and his condominium at Snowbird resort, where he could get in more skiing. He is a Republican, so Utah’s conservatism does not bother him.

But his 19 employees?

‘‘They wouldn’t come,’’ sighs Unger, whose ImaRx Therapeutics is developing gas bubbles to dissolve blood clots. Many of his employees are foreigners, and one is a lesbian with a partner and two children. And Unger says they see Utah as repressive and intolerant.

Some employers and politicians are warning that Utah’s Mormon conservatism is driving away business. They say Utah’s hard-line stands on such topics as gay rights, abortion and alcohol have given the state a reputation as an uptight, reactionary place where diversity is not welcome.


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Bush Asks Pope's Help Using Gay Marriage As Wedge Issue In Campaign
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Vatican City)  New details are emerging on this month's meeting between the Pope and President Bush.

While it was known that the two discussed among other issues, same-sex marriage, the full extent of the conversation had been shrouded in diplomatic secrecy. 

But, one of the most experienced journalists at the Vatican reports this week that Bush implored the Pope to increase Catholic condemnation of gay marriage in the weeks leading up to the election, and that the request also was made by the president to senior Vatican officials.. 

John Allen Jr., writes in the National Catholic Reporter, an independent journal for Catholics,  that Bush specifically "asked the Vatican to push the American Catholic bishops to be more aggressive politically on family and life issues, especially a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman."


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June 10, 2004--Austin, TX--Victory for Austin's Transgendered Community! Austin City Council Takes "First Step" Toward Equality.  From Transgender Advocates of Central Texas: Today, Austin became the third city in Texas and the 71st municipality in the country to add gender identity as a protected class to its human rights ordinance. Austin's City council voted unanimously to amend the Austin City Human Rights Ordinance to include gender identity as a protected class in employment, housing,   and public accommodation.