gay unions

The Oregon chapter of Know Thy Neighbor announced plans to publicize the name of everyone who signs referendum petitions to overturn two gay-rights bills passed by the Legislature this year.

Society will (slowly) realize gays and lesbians are more similar to straight people than not. But only after we live next to them, out of the shadows and in our front yards, sometimes with kids. As a result of our collective "coming out" so far, opinion polls show growing acceptance of gay rights. An editorial in The Washington Post helps vindicate our position.

Canada's Anglicans voted against allowing their churches to bless gay couples.

Most of the world's Anglicans are theological conservatives who believe gay relationships violate Scripture. More liberal Anglicans emphasize social justice teachings in the Bible, leading them to support full acceptance of same-sex couples.

Colombia's Congress voted to recognize gay unions, approving a bill to give same-sex couples full rights to health insurance, social security and inheritance benefits. The measure would make Colombia the first country in Latin America to extend such rights to gay couples, a prospect celebrated by gay rights advocates from Buenos Aires to New York.