The dean of Washington National Cathedral is calling homophobia a sin during a weekend of events devoted to gay youth at the church.

In a sermon Sunday, the Very Rev. Gary Hall said the church should have the courage to call homophobia and heterosexism a sin. He says "shaming people for whom they love is a sin."



Hall spoke about the killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard 15 years ago this month in Wyoming and about Tyler Clementi, a gay student who committed suicide three years ago in New York City.



Hall also hosted a forum Sunday with Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, and with Clementi's mother, Jane Clementi.



Earlier this year, Hall announced the prominent Episcopal cathedral that often hosts national events would begin celebrating same-sex marriages.

