Another one bites the dust. Or, rather, another one deals with the devil.

Trinity Episcopal Church of Bristol, Connecticut has aligned itself with Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola and his homo-hating Anglican offshoot, Convocation of Anglicans in North America.

Akinola founded the movement to counteract the Episcopal Church's increasingly inclusive - and thus "alarmingly" progressive - stance on gays, especially openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson's 2003 ascension in New Hampshire.

In a statement following the split, Trinity's rector, Rev. Donald Helmandollar, echoed Akinola's conservative views:

We have remained with the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church has demonstrated, continues to demonstrate, that they are walking apart from the communion.

Helmandollar's church now joins a number of Virginia churches who have gone over to the dark side, exasperating the Anglican schism.

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Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has yet to decide whether or not he'll invite openly gay Archbishop Gene Robinson to the Anglican Communion's September conference, but his unorthodox actions are definitely bolstering the religion's left.

California bishop Marc Andrus (pictured) has released a statement expressing his staunch solidarity with Robinson:

I will be seeking to learn how I can best be in solidarity with Bishop Robinson, through prayerful action.

The tactic of isolation and exile being employed against Bishop Robinson is retrogressive behavior that moves us towards a past from which Christ is always seeking to redeem us. I ask the people of the Diocese of California to pray with me about our common life with all of God's people and the earth.

Andrus has also invited Nigeria's premier gay activist, Davis Mac-Illya to march in San Francisco's gay pride parade. Mac-Illya has been a tireless voice in the battle against Nigeria's Archbishop, Peter Akinola.

Akinola leads the queer-hating crusade to control America's conservative Episcopal churches, which has successfully wooed a number of Virginia-based churches, including Bishop Martyn Minns' congregation.

Minns, meanwhile, will not be invited to September's festivities.

The ongoing Anglican Communion's queer internal struggle took a decidedly high school direction this week. Two of the most controversial American bishops have not been invited to next year's international Anglican Communion conference, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury's office.

Neither openly gay Gene Robinson, nor Bishop Martyn Minns - who leads a breakaway Virginia church aligned with anti-gay Bishop Peter Akinola. Secretary general of the communion, Canon Kenneth Kearon told reporters that while Robinson may get a last minute invite, Minns definitely off the list. Washington Post reports:

Robinson may be invited to attend the Lambeth Conference as a guest, but Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is not contemplating inviting Minns, Kearon said.

"The question of Gene Robinson … I think has exercised the archbishop of Canterbury's mind for quite some time… However, for the archbishop to simply give full recognition at this conference would be to ignore the very substantial and very widespread objections in many parts of the communion to his consecration and to his ministry.

We can understand excluding Minns (he broke with church policy by joining the Nigeria-based movement), but it seems to us that Robinson's repeated efforts to unify the church make him an essential part of any Anglican talks.

Nigeria Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola's tightening his grip on America's soul. The virulent homophobe will pay Woodbridge, Virginia a little visit to appoint former Episcopal clergyman Martyn Minns as the leader of Akinola's Convocation of Anglicans in North America.

Born from the never-ending gay debate, Akinola's Nigeria-based Convocation aims to recruit conservative Americans into his Bible-thumping fold. American Episcopal leader Katharine Jefferts Schori has pleaded with Akinola to back off her territory, but it seems Akinola's hellbent on a bit of religious colonization. Akinola replied by saying that the CANA will:

provide a safe place for those who wish to remain faithful Anglicans but can no longer do so within the Episcopal Church as it is currently being led.

Holy bitchiness!

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Gay Canadian Anglicans may be praying for some divine intervention over the next seven weeks. The Anglican Church of Canada has released a statement rejecting the possibility of blessing gay unions. For now, at least:

Where we are today - not in June, but as of today - our doctrine and discipline does not allow the blessing of same-sex unions. So we're acknowledging that's where we are, understanding that that could change in June.

No doubt the issue will come up at next month's general synod meeting in Winnipeg.

Canadian Anglicans may not approve of gay nuptials, but that doesn't mean they're not praying for your sissy soul. Winnipeg Free Press reports:

[Their official statement adds] that it is "a Gospel imperative to pray with the whole people of God, no matter their circumstance."

For example, the statement suggests a parish, with its bishop's knowledge and permission, could pray with a civilly married gay or lesbian couple that wants recognition of their union and celebrate a eucharist with the couple.

They also say they hope that "no child is denied baptism solely on the basis of the sexual orientation, or the marital status, of the parents."

"It is inconsistent and unacceptable to deny baptism to children as a way of imposing discipline on the sexual behaviour of the parents," says the statement.

At least one Canadian Anglican doesn't think that's good enough. Reverend Shawn Sanford Beck stepped down yesterday after clashing with church officials over the controversial matter. Beck wanted to bless same-sex unions, but faced pious religion.

American Episcopal leader Katharine Jefferts Schori may have supported openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson's ascension back in 2004, but it seems she's ready to give up the good gay fight. Fresh from her trip to Tanzania, where she and her pious peers debated the role of gays in the broader Anglican Communion, Schori came out to urge her loyal followers to concede to international pressure and end gay ordinations.

To live together in Christian community means each member takes seriously the concerns and needs of other members. If we can lower the emotional reactivity in the midst of this current controversy, we just might be able to find a way to live together.

That doesn't sound like living together to us. It sounds like a cop-out and a disturbing one, especially because Schori personally believes the church should include gays.

Could it be that Schori's lost her backbone? It certainly looks that way.

Bishop Gene Robinson may not be as famous as Lance Bass, but he's certainly just as gay. He's so gay, in fact, that his 2003 ascension as New Hampshire's Episcopal bishop sparked the controversy that threatens the American churches relationship with the worldwide Anglican communion.

You may recall church leaders met recently in Tanzania, where the conservatives issued a stern warning to the more liberal American sect, insisting that the Yanks must agree not to ordain any more openly gay bishops and must stop blessing same-sex unions. With a deadline set for September 29, America's presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori implied that the church would comply, at least for a while. Robinson, however - he ain't having it.

How will we explain this 'forbearance' to all those gay and lesbian Christians who have come to the Episcopal Church because, for the first time ever, they have believed that there is a place for them at God's table, not simply beneath it, hoping for fallen scraps?
…
Does anyone believe that our full compliance with the primates' demands, our complete denunciation of our gay and lesbian members or my removal as bishop would make all this go away?

We're assuming his answer's "no".

The Episcopal Church may not be in the best standing with the Anglican Communion, but that didn't stop Louisville's Bishop Ted Gulick from trying to increase his personal standing by expressing regret over his past votes. Speaking to his congregation, Gulick pledged his support to gay worshippers, saying:

I hereby publicly and deliberately apologize to our devoted gay and lesbian men and woman in our diocese for whom this (latest) vote causes pain and alienation… I know you to be my sisters and brothers in Christ. I thank you for your patience and forbearance with the church in this season.

This isn't the first time Gulick's gone back on a previous vote: he apologized to conservatives after voting for the openly gay Gene Robinson's officiation back in 2004. To make up for it, he voted against ordaining any more gay bishops - the decision for which he's now apologized.

We can't wait to see how he makes up for this one.

• Now that you're mind's been completely blown by Hilary Duff's incredible charisma, you may be interested to hear that pot activists, Americans for Safe Access have filed a lawsuit against the federal government. Basing their argument on last week's study affirming marijuana's medicinal affects in HIV patients - that is, the patients getting high felt way better than those getting a stupid placebo - the ASA hopes to end the government's reign of bummer-inducing tyranny. [CBS News]

• Meanwhile, the democracy-seeking Second Life Liberation Army has launched its first attack against cyber-world Second Life - blowing up an American Apparel and Reebok stores, thus sparking what may become a virtual war on terror. One militant member said, "The population of the world should have a say in the running of the world". Um, he does know Second Life doesn't really exist? [Second Life Liberation Army]

• Utah-based journo Jay Walker's blowin' up Fred Phelps and Friends' spot. He thinks that if the "God Hates Fags" protesters insist on blowing Leviticus out of proportion, they'd better start practicing the Bible's other "outrageous" laws, like stoning rape victims. [The Daily Utah]

• Come hell or high water, New York Bishop Mark Sisk will not let the Anglican Communion blow up his moral integrity. Of the group's prescribed ban on the American Episcopal's gay loving ways, Sisk says, "I am not in the least prepared to make any concession that strikes at the heart of my conviction that gay and lesbian people are God's beloved children." Go on, girl! [NYDN]

• Speaking of girls going on: is Britney Spears looking to blow up the world record for most rehab visits in a week? [Jossip]

• The Roxy will close its doors on March 10th. It'll will be blown up a few days later. [Joe. My. God.]

• Go blow up David Lachapelle's spot at Soho's Taschen store. In turn, he'll sign your copy of his new book and give you an invite to the after party. It's going on right now, you'd better get going. And so should we… [Gothamist]

• A group of young Dominican monks got in a bit of trouble for making a music video for The Village People's "YMCA" in a Warsaw church. Officials said it promoted homosexuality in the Catholic Church. Oh, please, that one's almost too easy…

• Britney Spears went back to rehab. We give it, oh, about twelve hours…

• Oh dear god, no! Advertising companies are looking into beaming adverts to people's cell phones.

• Some dude just started a website "to help reduce homophobic behavior and ignorance surrounding the use of the word Gay". Apparently signing up for an email address there will help put an end to bigotry. We're skeptical. Also, if there were no homophobes, we'd lose half our content.

• Anglicans aren't fucking around on that whole gay marriage thing.

• Two magic words: gay and Dynasty. Have at it…

• Anderson Cooper made himself available to the highest bidder for an AIDS auction charity. The winning bid? $21,000. The winner? Brit bachelor Oliver Hicks. [Page Six]

• Brad Pitt. Shirtless. Smoking. On a motorcycle. Pics. [MollyGood]

• You care immensely about Britney Shears, right? [Dlisted]

• Leader of Iraqi GLBT advocacy group met with open arms – and applause – at London conference [UKGN]

• Anglican Church tries to get its shit together. [AP]

• Always lovely to see black press supporting homophobia. [Black News Weekly]

• Nigerians speak up for GLBT rights. [GCN]

• Doctor Who's John Barrowman's biggest complaint: being too well endowed. [Sky]

It's a miracle! Wrapping up their meeting in Tanzania, Anglican officials of the 77 million-strong church have agreed to allow America's Episcopal Churches to welcome gays into the international communion.

The seven-page report, penned by Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, allows American churches to include gays, but has barred them from installing any more gay bishop a la Gene Robinson. In addition, the conclusive paper derided Nigeria's Archbishop Peter Akinola for sticking his nose in America's business and snatching away a number of Churches. Of the decision, Pro-gay British Bishop Colin Coward said:

We are very pleased and delighted… The archbishops have come up with a surprisingly realistic assessment of the reality of life in the communion for gay and lesbian people.

Conservatives, meanwhile, were none-too-pleased. American theologian Dr. Kendall Harmon griped, "It's a really poor report. It is shocking that a report like this could have been written at this stage. It's way too soft." Boo-hoo.

(PS: The white horse and first line are a vague pop culture reference. Anyone know what it is? Here's a hint, the writer/director's initials are MB and they never made a sequel - may be a tough one for the youngsters, but you old queens have to know this movie. We'll reveal the answer later.)

[Update: Some astute readers pointed out that the meeting doesn't wrap up until Monday. We were wrong. But, there's still a compromise of sorts and conservatives are still pissed.]

America's Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (aka Bad Ass Bible Babe) will not be intimidated.

She's down in Tanzania, where international Anglican leaders have congregated to duke it out over the role of gays in the 77 million strong church. Conservatives, such as the ever lovable Archbishop Peter Akinola, says there's no place for the homos but hell. More - shudder - liberal scrupulous skippers, meanwhile believe in the sanctity of homosexuality. Schori, of course, counts herself among the latter. Though a number of conservatives have spoken out against her attendance - she is, after all, a woman: a sinful breed who are incapable of operating on the same level as men- , the church will go on, Schori insists, albeit through a loyal attendant. The Globe and Mail reports:

“The spirit of Anglicanism will prevail here and there will be a middle way forward,” said Ms. Jefferts Schori's aide, Robert Williams.

But he said she “will not waver in her stand for justice and inclusion of all people in the body of Christ.”

The you have it, folks. Schori's not playing. In fact, she's so busy sharpening her scriptural claws that she can't even fuck with the press. She'll lose her focus. And you know what happens if she loses her focus: apocalypse.

• It's Anglican war in Tanzania. Literally. Archbishop Peter Akinola called in an extra bishop, former army colonel Archbishop Nicholas Okoh.

• "No Tongue," says Courtney Cox on her not-so-Dirty lesbian kiss with Jennifer Aniston - a detail that doesn't really matter, considering that no one's watching.

• Gay Floridian foster parents lose custody of HIV baby! Yeah, that about sum's it up.

• Gawker has a crush on a man-loving, folk song-singing, baby-sitting Brooklynite named Ryan. Pass it on.

• Some Euro gay rights groups have joined forces to combat anti-gay bullying. So, bullies, you'd better watch your asses. Those Euro homos fight dirty.

• Speaking of dirty, you should head on over to Eastern Bloc and get drunk with us. Jimmy Im will be there spinning. Info below.