According to the Church marriage is reserved between a man and a woman, although ministers may bless other types of “holy unions.” During the proceedings Edwards told the court, “Scripture has taught me that the heart of marriage is the love and commitment between two partners.”

Had Edwards been found guilty she could have been defrocked. Three other Presbyterian ministers have been charged but all have been found not guilty as well.

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The Republican Vice Presidential nominee stated that homosexuality is a “choice” and went on to add that one of her best friends is gay. “She is one of my best friends,” she said. “Who happen to have made a choice that isn’t a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people.”

John Hoadley, Executive Director of the Stonewall Democrats stated, “John McCain chose a poor running mate, but he did not choose his sexual orientation. This is another example of why we need a pro-equality President like Barack Obama in the White House.”

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Spielberg and Capshaw matched Brad Pitt’s donation of $100,000 to the “No on 8″ campaign, which will fight against the ballot initiative that aims to make all same sex marriages in the state unconstitutional.

Proposition 8 will be voted on by Californians during the November election, with recent polls showing that residents are leaning against it. The recent donations help to fight supporters of the ban who have out-raised “No on 8″ by almost $6 million.

After the donation the couple released a statement saying, “Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation.”

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Martin was an author and co-founded the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955, a political organization that fought for lesbian rights. She had been with her partner Phyllis Lyon, for nearly 60 years. “Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never image a day would come when she wouldn’t be by my side,” said Lyon.

Martin’s health had begun to decline over and had to utilize a wheelchair during her wedding ceremony in May.

Martin’s triumphs were even recognized by house speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We would never have marriage equality in California if it weren’t for Del and Phyllis,” she said. “They fought and triumphed in many battles.”

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Plaintiff Guadalupe Benitez brought the suit against a San Diego fertility clinic in 2000 when two doctors’ used their religious beliefs to justify their refusal to provide artificial insemination to Benitez and her partner. The two physcians later stated that their Christian beliefs would have led them to refuse treatment to any unmarried couple.

Benitez does not view this just as a win for lesbians, “Anyone could be the next target if doctors are allowed to pick and choose their patients based on religious views,” she says.

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Mitcham hadn’t planned to make a statement by comming out. It happend during an interview in May when a reporter asked him who he was living with. Since then Mitcham has admitted that diving is one of the easier sports to come out in and that joking around with his teammates has made it less awkward.

“It’s much easier than football, where you have to be rugged and strong and masculine,” he said.

Mitcham is currently ranked third in the world in the 10 meter platform event and tenth in the 3 meter springboard event heading into Beijing.

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Adkisson walked into the church yesterday morning and began shooting during a children’s play, killing two adults and wounding seven others before being brought down by several parishioners.

The Universalist Church had recently been in the news because of activities that Adkisson viewed as liberal. The church has worked towards desegregation, women’s rights and gay right since the 1950’s. The Knoxville Police Chief, Sterling Owen stated that a note found in Adkisson’s vehicle expressed a specific hatred for gay people and that the case is being investigated as a hate crime.

“It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job…and his hatred for the liberal movement…he felt like he was being kept out of the loop because of his age,” said Owen.

Adkisson is being held on $1 million bail.

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Marketing agency Out Now Consulting created travel posters stating, “South Carolina is so gay.” Under the phrase is a picture of a historic South Carolina home, as well phrases boasting their gay beaches as well as golf.

Senator Thomas claims that his outrage has nothing to do with homophobia, but the fact that the ad falsely highlights the gay beaches and nightlife in the state. “They’ll get off the plane and say, ‘Where are the gay beaches?’ and no one will know what they are talking about.” Thomas is refusing to pay for the campaign and is demanding the removal of all of the posters.

 The same ads were created to advertise Atlanta, Boston, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Washington D.C which hang along escalators in two of London’s tube stations. None of the other five U.S. cities promoted have taken issue with the campaign.

Gay rights activist Ryan Wilson with South Carolina’s Pride Movement says that the Senator’s behavior is another example of bigotry. The group decided to fundraise to pay the $5,000 fee for the campaign and taken on the slogan, “South Carolina WILL BE So Gay.”

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Despite being voted most popular by his ninth grade class, he knows that that there are still some who do not like him. “I think I’ve dealt with it so much my whole life that it really doesn’t bother me anymore, not as much as it used to.”

Saro realized that he like boys when he was in the sixth grade. When classmates called him anti-gay slurs, teachers saw nothing wrong with it because they felt he acted gay.

Over the years there have been many Gay Straight Alliance clubs added to schools, but more and more are appearing in middle schools now. Founder Kevin Jennings did not anticipate that the clubs would grow to over 100 nationwide. “Unlike people of my generation, where there was very little visibility and a great sense of sadness, these kids know gay people are out there, they have a language now to understand their feelings.”

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In 2000, 60% of Californians voted to keep marriage between a man and a woman. Supporters are now worried that pictures could be used in a campaign to persuade voters that same-sex couples do not have the right to marry.

Kendall Hamilton who will wed his partner of five years stated, “We want everybody to be free, but the image does matter…They are going to try and make us look like freaks.”

Some people believe that by witnessing gay marriages people will become more supportive, as they did when Massachusetts began allowing same-sex marriages in 2004.

President of Equality California, John Duran acknowledges that the LGBT community is known for its flamboyant behavior and states, “We’re under this incredible political pressure not to have those portrayals.”

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