The Prime Minister has issued an apology for the homophobic hounding of the wartime codebreaker Alan Turing. He was driven to suicide in the 1950s by criminal prosecution and “medical treatment” imposed in response to his sexuality.

Three women presidents of the World Council of Churches have expressed concern and disappointment at the lack of women in senior staff leadership in the world's biggest church grouping.

Amnesty International has called on the Sudanese government to withdraw charges against Abna Hussein and repeal the law used to flog women for wearing "indecent" clothing.

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches has urged its member churches "to publicly condemn violence against women" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Anglican Communion's first openly gay bishop has received a standing ovation at the Greenbelt festival in Cheltenham. Gene Robinson's call for a sexual ethic based on integrity and trust was greeted with prolonged applause.

The Greenbelt Christian festival in Cheltenham has attracted over 15,000 participants despite attacks from conservative campaigners opposed to the invitation of a gay bishop.

Acts of solidarity can offer opportunities for growth, to connect at a deeper level not only with other humans but also with the divine, says Savi Hensman, drawing upon recent events and biblical wisdom.

Human rights campaigners in Zimbabwe believe they have a 50:50 chance of seeing the rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual people protected in the country's new constitution. This would overturn existing Zimbabwean law.

A joint statement from groups working together in the Church of England

The Quakers have become the first major denomination in Britain to endorse same-sex marriage, putting themselves in conflict with the law. Their example is an inspiration to people in other denominations struggling for equality.

Emotions ran high in York this morning as Quakers agreed to carry out same-sex marriages on the same basis as marriages for opposite-sex couples. The decision came after an intense week of debate and reflection at British Quakers' Yearly Meeting.

Britain's Quakers appear to be on the brink of a decision to put same-sex and heterosexual marriage on an equal footing. This morning will see the final stage of their discussions on the issue at their Yearly Meeting in York.

Britain's Quakers formally began their discussions on same-sex partnerships at their Yearly Meeting yesterday. They are considering whether to carry out commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples on the same basis as heterosexual weddings.

Around 1,600 Quakers will gather in York tomorrow for their week-long annual conference. The event is likely to be dominated by a decision on whether to carry out same-sex commitment ceremonies on the same basis as heterosexual weddings.