US Episcopal Bishop Stephen T. Lane of the Diocese of Maine has said he joins the "many Episcopalians [who] are deeply grieved" by Maine voters' rejection of that state's same-gender marriage law last week.

A new report based on a recent national US survey has found that a clear majority of Americans favour allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal civil unions.

California’s Supreme Court has upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, disappointing gay rights campaigners across the USA, who took to the streets in solidarity. The California Council of Churches has condemned the Court’s decision.

California’s leading gay rights organisation is launching an ad campaign to promote acceptance of gay marriage, and is also forming a coalition of 1,000 clergy to help change negative religious attitudes towards same-sex unions.

Sweden's parliament has backed a proposal to introduce gender-neutral marriage, becoming the fifth European country to do so. The Church of Sweden will bless same-sex unions but not call them marriage.

The Church of Sweden, which has been criticised by other Lutherans for blessing civil partnerships, says the state should not redefine marriage.