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California

California Synagogue Takes Action Against Boy Scouts Anti-gay Policy

LAFAYETTE, CA -- The board of directors at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California has become the latest group to reject the Boy Scouts Of America's anti-gay policies. 

The board of directors voted unanimously this week to take action against the BSA, including recommending that the rabbinical staff and synagogue members write letters stating their opposition to the policy along with withdrawing financial support and refusing to participate in scouting events.

A statement on the Temple Isaiah website read:

“The Board of Directors of Temple Isaiah voted unanimously Tuesday night to express its opposition to the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to disqualify participants because of sexual orientation."

The Board policy calls for a letter writing campaign to the local and national BSA councils, as well as encouraging Temple members and other community organizations to join in the effort to enact change through letters, financial pressure, postponing participation and supporting movements such as Scouts for Equality.

The board also is going to tell staff and others to not write Eagle Scout recommendations, or allow religious awards for the BSA until the policy is changed. 

“The Temple Isaiah Board supports the clergy’s current policy of not writing Eagle Scout recommendations, or signing off on religious awards for the Boy Scouts until the BSA membership policy is changed. 

Though we cannot change the Scouts’ national policy, we can work hard within and outside Temple Isaiah’s walls to create an awareness of the damaging consequences of such policies on all our youth and on our communities,” Rabbi Roberto Graetz said in a statement.

In July 2012 the Boy Scouts of America announced it would retain its ban on gay members, volunteers and staff.

Washington

Seattle Megachurch Moves Next To City's Beloved LGBTQ Neighborhood

SEATTLE, WA -- A Seattle megachurch that has publicly stated that it believes that homosexuality is a "sin" and that its intention has been to "save sinners through the love of Jesus Christ" has moved into a former night club building located adjacent to the city's LGBTQ neighborhood.

LGBTQ equality activists and some of the city's gay leaders are calling the church's intentions behind its announcemnet suspect.

In a press release, the Mars Hill church's lead pastor, Tim Gaydos said:

“This is an incredible opportunity to be a ministry hub for downtown Seattle as it will allow us to better serve the business men and women in our city, as well as the homeless and marginalized, as we're closer to one of our ministry partners, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Also, being closer to Capitol Hill is a blessing as we are serving and ministering to those who are infected with AIDS on the hill.”

A source with Seattle's Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the Seattle-based advocacy group that serves people with HIV/AIDS, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that a red flag is immediately raised given  that Mars Hill's recently set means of "ministering to those infected by AIDS" has been to "pray the gay away."

The source "wondered whether the church has any real intentions to provide support to people who are HIV-positive or if it just intends to evangelize against the gay community."

Washington State commenced issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in December after the state voted in favor of marriage equality in a historic 2012 general election.