“Religious right” is a term we hear all too often.

But organized religion is starting to right the wrongs perpetrated by the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of this world.

This fall, for example, two more Episcopal priests in same-gender relationships will appear on the ballot to become assistant bishops of Los Angeles, and the Diocese of Minnesota has announced that a lesbian is among its three candidates for bishop.

The Los Angeles election will be held in December, the Minnesota election in October.

In 2003, the Episcopal Church elected Rev. V. Gene Robinson bishop in the Diocese of New Hampshire. Robinson is considered to be the first openly gay, noncelibate priest to be ordained bishop by a major Christian denomination. His election was decided with a 62 to 45 vote at the convention, a split that was reflected throughout the church.

Many other churches also openly embrace members of the GLBT community. The Metropolitan Community Church (which we are so thrilled has just found a new home for its San Diego location) and the Unitarian Universalist Church, a non-denominational church, both have a long-standing record of supporting GLBT causes.

Of course many other churches still cling to their conservative dogma. And it continues to affect our community deeply. We hardly need reminding that the passage of Proposition 8 last November was largely due to the influence wielded by the Church of Latter-day Saints and also by churches with large black congregations (although since the vote we’ve realized that our estimates of the number of those in the black community who supported Proposition 8 may have been skewed).

But even in the most conservative churches, we know there is a generation gap that is righting the religious right. Younger congregation members who understand the wrongs the religious right is foisting are making their voices heard. And what they preach at the pulpit may echo at the polls.

Righting the religious right does not just take place in church, however. It happens when activists respond to the actions of religious leaders.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, the Great National Kiss-In will take place in response to same-sex couples in Salt Lake City and Dallas being apprehended for kissing in public. The Salt Lake City lovers, who kissed outside the Mormon Church on land that had been traded to the Church by the city in a deal not supported by all, were asked to leave the premises. Subsequently, on July 23, GLBT couples held a kiss-in to protest. And a national kiss-in will be held Aug. 15. It will include demonstrations in at least seven major cities including Boston, New York, Houston, Portland, Irvine, San Diego and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.GreatNationwideKissIn.com.

Righting the religious right also happens when mainstream media depicts the effects of value systems imposed by the religious right.

For instance, a recent Lifetime film with Sigourney Weaver, Prayers for Bobby, portrays the true story of a deeply religious family torn apart when its youngest son announces he is gay. Weaver is receiving accolades for her performance of the real-life mother, Mary Griffith, as she grapples with her son’s “sin.” She is determined to save him from hell, but Bobby commits suicide and Griffith goes on a heart-wrenching journey to understand. Griffith has since become an empathetic advocate for others facing similar situations.

The truth is that there is no such thing as “religious right.” But righting religious wrongs is a move in the right direction.