360+ same-sex couples apply for marriage licenses; most in Polk Co.

As final numbers come in from county recorders, at least 360 same-sex couples have applied for marriage licenses in Iowa, with the heaviest concentrations in Linn, Polk, Scott and Johnson counties, according to information collected by The Des Moines Register. The tally so far includes 26 out-of-state couples, according to a survey of county recorders. The Register is still gathering its data, but afternoon figures show that the greatest number of applications so far is in Polk County, which has logged 83. Johnson County has seen 40 applications so far, Scott County has seen at least 18, and 40 couples have applied for marriage licenses in Linn County. Today was the first day same-sex couples could since the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court opinion that struck down a state law that said marriage was only between a man and a woman.

Photo gallery: Iowa begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/360-same-sex-…

Disgraced pastor speaks at Charlotte church

CHARLOTTE – Disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard spoke to a Charlotte congregation Sunday morning.

Haggard was the pastor of the 12,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the Head of the National Association of Evangelicals until a gay sex scandal in November 2006 led to his downfall.

He spoke Sunday morning to the Elevation Church as part of a series entitled “Healer.” Haggard apologized to the audience and shared details about the conflict and confusion he struggles.

“I am so sorry that I caused pain in your family,” Haggard said. “I am so ashamed that I misrepresented the body of Christ.”

In November 2006, a male prostitute claimed Haggard paid him for sex for three years and that Haggard used crystal meth. Haggard denies the drug allegations.

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