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Kiss-In at Mormon Temple Leads to Confrontation
In early July, a mass kiss-in near a Mormon temple in Utah made headlines after two gay men were removed from the premises and cited for trespassing after security guards observed them kissing. About 100 people attended the protest. Demonstrators were greeted by a group of counterprotesters carrying large signs denouncing homosexuality. A shouting match erupted between the groups, but no one was arrested or cited besides the two men.
Fort Worth Mayor Apologizes for Raid on Gay Bar
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief has apologized for a raid on one of the city’s gay bars in June that left one victim hospitalized. The mayor and city officials briefly discussed the incident at City Hall. After someone called out for an apology, Moncrief said, “If you want an apology from the Mayor of Fort Worth—I am sorry about what happened in Fort Worth.” The Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission and Fort Worth Police Department are investigating the raid, which was conducted jointly by their agencies.

Episcopal Church OKs Openly Gay Clergy
The Episcopal Church, the US branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, approved a measure to allow the ordination of openly gay and lesbian clergy. It passed by wide margins in both decision-making bodies of the church. The resolution affirmed: “God has called and may call such individuals [gay or lesbians] to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church.” Adoption of the measure comes as divisions between liberals and conservatives have threatened a schism within the worldwide church.