Just want to point out for all the "The Bible says it's a no-no" folks, you're in a bit of a double-bind. First of all, you're lacking actual back-up considering the one verse that specifically labels homosexuality a sin is directed towards the Levites, I.E the priests, to whom heterosexual relations and marriage would also be a sin. There's also a verse from Paul that mentions homosexuality in the midst of heterosexual debauchery as well as gluttony and a host of other un-named perversions. These are the two Biblical reprimands of homosexuality, both of which occur out of wedlock, and pale in comparison to the 30-odd reprimands of heterosexual behavior.
But, let's assume that the Bible does condemn homosexuality in a literal sense. In that case, it only condemns male homosexuality. "What's that, Wesley?" you say, "Impossibru!" Yep. Leviticus only mentions man-on-man action. There are women in the scenario that Paul describes, but only the men are condemned for descending into unnatural behavior. In Sodom and Gomorrah(A scenario not typically cited in the whole debate because the homosexuality pales in comparison to the rape issues), it was once again only men being condemned. Not one direct condemnation of lesbianism is mentioned in the Bible, ever. Whoops?
"But Wes, you abominable ne'er-do-well you, if it's wrong for men certainly it's wrong for women, isn't it?" Ah-Ah-Ah, my friends, that's interpreting the Bible on a broad scale, exactly the sort of thing I'm told is completely immoral and wrong whenever I point out the fallacy of condemning a loving relationship because of the junk that is or is not present in one partner's metaphorical trunk. The direct action condemned is a man lying with a man. So if we want to go from a literal angle, gay men bad, lesbians good, that's how the rule-book rolls, eh?
Except that's illogical, and dumb, and we all know that in our heart of hearts. So let's look at the issue logically: God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, right? Game, set, match, it's how humanity works. On the other hand, God also made a celibate priesthood. "Man was not meant to be alone" and all that seems to go right out the window when discussing the servants of God. This "natural" arrangement, upon which our very race is founded, did not apply to the majority of the prophets, was the downfall of many kings and judges, and appears to be null and void in the context of the apostles. Huh. It's almost like everyone's not supposed to be in this relationship but instead relies on a contextual love, trust, and commitment that isn't present in the lives of every individual.
Look, I get it, reading is easy and critical thinking is hard. Entrenched societal biases are hard. Being a self-righteous moral crusader against the degradation of the world is super-cool. However, it might pay to do a little research. Homosexuality is mentioned in the Bible in three contexts: As a dodge for celibacy, in the middle of a town full of rapists, and as one further depravity in the midst of innumerable indulgences. In all these cases, it is driven by lust, and Homosexual lust is just as much a sin as Heterosexual lust. The key word there, however, is lust. Not love. Love can be genuinely experienced regardless of gender. Is there going to be lust? Are there going to be bad relationships, promiscuity, and heartbreaks? Of course. That's human nature, though. It's prevalent(good lord is it prevalent) in heterosexual relationships as well. To defend a "sacred" institution with a failure rate that has been around 50% for a long time now(not including abusive/loveless/political/economical/arranged marriages) is rather silly, and makes us all look silly. Keep one little idea in mind: The inherent and terrible racism of the last few centuries has been lambasted and decried for the last 40 years, and it will continue being mocked and derided as long as sentient culture stands. The religious suppression and violence of the centuries before that has been a target of greater scorn. The hypocrisy of the Israeli nation in the Old Testament is a well-documented and often mourned event. So when you join a social cause, do your research, and then ask yourself: How will future generations remember me? As part of a hateful movement that, no matter its intent, robbed innocent individuals of the rights and often their lives, inspiring hate-crimes and deaths across the globe at an alarming rate(Fun fact: As of 2010, Homosexuals are the most likely target of violent hate crimes in America, twice as likely as African Americans and 41 times as likely as a heterosexual white male), or as a force that expressed the tolerance, love, and peace inherent in our faith? When you give an account of your actions at the pearly gates, will you be able to legitimately say "I acted as the Spirit led me, in Christ's foot-steps", or will the somber reality of millions of inadvertent deaths and years of subjugation weigh your conscious? I am reminded of the words of Peter, the Rock of the Church:
"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
