As many of you probably recall, when I was first approached about taking on the role of DignityUSA President, I had many concerns. The organization was facing enormous financial and leadership challenges, membership was declining, and it was unclear what Dignity’s role should be. I questioned whether I was the person best suited to lead our organization’s response to these challenges, and was unsure about the level of commitment remaining among our members.
Last week's passage of Arizona's Proposition 102, Proposition 8 in California, and Proposition 2 in Florida amending these states' constitutions to prevent same-gender marriage was profoundly disappointing to all who believe in fairness and equality. However, I firmly believe that this represents a temporary setback in the ongoing work to ensure justice for all families, and want to point to some of the signs of hope which can serve as building blocks for future successes.
Today, as the U.S. bishops begin their meeting in Baltimore, we express our dismay regarding the bishops' use of significant resources - including $200,000 toward Proposition 8 in California - to block same-gender couples from access to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage. We are opposed to ballot initiatives against same-gender marriage because this takes the dangerous path of putting the fundamental civil rights of a class of U.S. citizens up for a vote.
On July 24, 2008, a group of young adults from Call To Action (CTA) landed in New Orleans to spend three days reflecting and rediscovering “home.” This CTA Next Generation retreat entitled, “FINDING HOME IN A BROKEN WORLD: A Retreat on Environmental Racism for Seekers of Spirituality and Justice,” gave each of us a bit of rope to hold onto in the blizzard of apathy, neglect and injustice we find swirling around us today.
By Deb Myers and Nickie Valdez, Co-Chairs, Couples Ministry CommitteeMarriage, same-sex unions, domestic partnerships, civil unions have all been part of the national and local political landscape for at least the last decade in this country. In reality, gay men and lesbians have been creating loving, physically and spiritually committed relationships as long as our heterosexual bothers and sisters.
DignityUSA’s Board of Directors met July 25-27, 2008, in Denver at the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Downtown.
The weekend started early for most of the board who traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park on Friday, July 25th. DignityUSA President Mark Matson wanted board members to see some of what makes his home state a natural wonder. Those who went into the mountains did see God’s majesty — rock formations, varying weather, unique flora and brave bicyclists who made it up those peaks.
There is no question that marriage and other forms of recognition for gay and lesbian couples are tough issues for many Catholics. Happily, most Catholics want to do the right thing, both from a faith perspective and in recognition of the gay people in their lives whom they love and respect. They’re just not sure what the right thing is.
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
It behooves us as individuals, Chapters, faith communities and DignityUSA to call into question the alliances being forged by our bishops with organizations such as Focus on the Family and its associates whose mission is to “uproot homosexuality” and point up the inconsistency with welcome and pastoral care towards homosexual persons.
- Closing Commentary
Marriage Equality Issues
“As part of the civil marriage service—prior to stating that the marriage is legal—these words are spoken: 'By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...' Those words alone echo in our hearts remembering the thunderous applause which sends shivers up your spine. We had not dared to hope for this level of acceptance.”
— Alice Knowles and Kathy Ann Gianino
Dignity/Boston
Father Pat writes and distributes a kind of information letter to members giving the date and location of the next meeting. (The earliest issue of this newsletter on file at the International Gay Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles is dated February, 1970.)
