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It isn't hard to find arguments that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. Any reasonable person reading them, however, will IMO reach the conclusion that the arguments are strained and inherently dishonest. I think a more interesting discussion is that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as greatly more evil than other sexual sins. In fact, in the NT it is generally listed as just one of numerous sins, sexual and otherwise. Right in the middle of the list. Conservatives and Christians have, IMO, assigned a uniquely extreme sinfulness to homosexual acts that the Bible does not really support. Meanwhile, other sexual sins, which the Bible implies are similar in their degree of sinfulness, are treated by them in practice as merely venial or even not sins at all.

Protestants say that all sins are equally wrong, and Catholics (and presumably Orthodox as well) say that sexual sin is of the venial sort. The reason it appears that we assign a 'uniquely extreme sinfulness' to it is primarily because the surrounding culture has made it a hot-button issue; liars, drunks and thieves aren't organizing and trying to have their behavior given the church's mark of approval.

“The reason it appears that we [Christians] assign a ‘uniquely extreme sinfulness’ to it [homosexual acts] is primarily because the surrounding culture has made it a hot-button issue; liars, drunks and thieves aren’t organizing and trying to have their behavior given the church’s mark of approval.”
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BINGO!

Catholics (and presumably Orthodox as well) say that sexual sin is of the venial sort.

Not exactly.

A mortal sin must include three elements. 1) Grave matter, 2) Full knowledge that the matter is grave and 3) full consent of the will to commit the act. Fornication is a grave matter.

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

[Sherman Logan:] I think a more interesting discussion is that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as greatly more evil than other sexual sins.

The reason it appears that we assign a 'uniquely extreme sinfulness' to it is primarily because the surrounding culture has made it a hot-button issue; liars, drunks and thieves aren't organizing and trying to have their behavior given the church's mark of approval.

I would not entirely disagree... But Sherman Logan has a point which I would say comes from Lev. 18... 'The sins that would cause the land to vomit you out'. Because they are listed as such, they become exclusive and of a 'higher' class - And historically, at least in America, I think the passage has defined that which is unpardonable abomination.

It is unfortunate to look at that chapter and see how very far our once great country has fallen. We cannot be far from that act of 'vomiting out'.

@Sherman Logan: I would differ from you only in seeing that historically in America, those sexual sins were once abominable, to include heterosexual adultery, and sex before marriage. I am of the last generation that knew what was, and I fear my admonitions given to my children have fallen on deaf ears.

But then, My mother's admonitions to me fell on deaf ears too - it is my generation that knew right from wrong, and chose the wrong. But having known the right, having experienced a time gone by, we were able to see our mistake and try to return.

My children, I fear (their generation) do not even know the difference.

"Protestants say that all sins are equally wrong, and Catholics (and presumably Orthodox as well) say that sexual sin is of the venial sort."

Not so. The Catholic Church teaches that sins against the Faith, against Life, and against Sexuality are always "grave matter". Which means, objectively serious. They constitute mortal sins subjectively (as applied to you), if you did them knowingly and willingly.