gay marriage

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Ill., has barred priests from performing sacraments for people in same-sex marriages. Above, Paprocki testifies against an Illinois same-sex marriage bill in 2013.

Illinois Bishop Decrees No Communion, Funeral Rites For Same-Sex Spouses

7:36pm June 23, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Bishop Thomas Paprocki is telling priests in his diocese not to offer sacraments to people in same-sex marriages. A Catholic LGBT group calls the decree "mean-spirited and unchristian in the extreme."

Robert Ingersoll (left) and Curt Freed sued a Washington state floral shop that refused to sell flowers for their wedding.

Washington High Court Hears Case Of Florist Who Refused To Serve Gay Wedding

3:39pm November 15, 2016

by Anna King

A florist refused to do the wedding arrangements for a same-sex couple, claiming it's against her religion. The couple and the state argue that's unlawful discrimination.

Queue Listen Now

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, delivers a speech during the final evening session of the Republican National Convention.

'I Am Proud To Be Gay,' Tech Investor Peter Thiel Tells GOP Convention

11:27pm July 21, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

Peter Thiel is an openly gay libertarian billionaire financier, co-founder of PayPal and early Facebook investor. "Fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline," he says.

The White House was illuminated in rainbow-colored light on June 26, 2015, after the Supreme Court issued a ruling that made same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

Not Always A 'Thunderbolt': The Evolution Of LGBT Rights Under Obama

9:53am June 09, 2016

by Scott Horsley

Much has changed during the Obama administration — including the legalization of same-sex marriage. The president praised that Supreme Court decision, but activists have not always applauded him.

Queue Listen Now

Manuel Santos feeds 6-month-old Carmen last July, as biological father Bud Lake looks on. A Thai court ruled Tuesday that Lake has custody of Carmen, now 15 months old.

Court Rules In Favor Of Biological Father In Thai Surrogacy Case

1:48pm April 27, 2016

by Michael Sullivan

A same-sex couple won custody of their 15-month-old baby in a Thai court that ruled against their surrogate. She'd reneged on the deal after learning the couple are gay.

Missouri Senate Majority Leader Mike Kehoe (right) talks with reporters as fellow Republican Sen. Bob Onder looks on Wednesday at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo.

Epic Missouri Filibuster Over Bill Shielding Opponents Of Same-Sex Weddings Ends

1:50pm March 09, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The Missouri Senate has given preliminary approval to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would protect groups and people with religious objections to same-sex ceremonies.

Canterbury Cathedral, the mother church of the international Anglican Communion, stands under clouds in 2008, in Canterbury, England. A church meeting this week on the issue of same-sex marriage has resulted in a three-year sanction of the Episcopal Churc

Anglican Leaders Censure Episcopal Church For Stance On Homosexuality

5:42pm January 14, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The U.S. church, which allows same-sex marriage, has been sanctioned by leaders of the international fellowship. Episcopalians won't be allowed to participate in key decision-making for three years.

World News

Court In China Accepts Gay Man's Lawsuit Demanding Marriage Rights

3:50pm January 06, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"I can't abide by people imposing their values on me," the plaintiff in the case has said. A court accepted his case on Tuesday.

As more same-sex couples get married in the U.S., many are opting for less traditional songs than Richard Wagner's standard march.

'Here Come The Brides': Same-Sex Weddings Call For A New Soundtrack

7:15pm December 26, 2015

by NPR Staff

Richard Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" has been a staple at weddings for more than 150 years. But lately, a number of same-sex couples have been choosing to mix up the music at their nuptials.

Queue Listen Now

Sergio Cervetti (left) and Ken Rinker have been together for 50 years. They were legally father and son for 15 years before annulling the adoption to get married in July.

National

On Paper As Parent And Child, Gay Couples Annul Adoptions To Marry

3:23pm December 25, 2015

by Laura Benshoff

Before same-sex marriage became legal across the U.S., some couples would become father and son to get rights they were otherwise denied. Adoptions were the best option at the time.