DignityUSA Voices
The Wedding of Lewis and Bennie: Celebrating Love and Community
By Lewis Speaks- Tanner, Vice President, DignityUSA
On a glorious and beautiful Easter Saturday, Bennie Speaks and I were united in marriage during a Catholic wedding liturgy at St. John’s in the Village Episcopal Church, New York, NY. We were surrounded by family and friends.
Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogués Featured at Congressional Briefing
DignityUSA President Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogués testified at a Congressional Briefing held April 27 to discuss the findings in a new research study entitled LGBT Acceptance and Support: The Hispanic Perspective. Hosted by Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada), and organized by National Council of La Raza, the briefing offered elected officials and their staff a close look at a groundbreaking new study.
How do you think the LCWR should move forward?
The Vatican has recently put the screws to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in the United States. From a good article in the UK theological publication "The Tablet":
How Do You Stand With "Queer"?
DignityUSA recently launched its faith and spirituality webinar, “Queer Catholic Faith”. The use of the term “queer” in our title likely raises some eyebrows in our community, and for different reasons. How do you respond to the use of “queer” in the LGBT community? What does “queer” mean for you or call up in you?
Blogging of the Spirit
Blogging is a way of sharing thoughts and opinions. Most blogging sites allow other to comment and hold discussions with the author and other people. There are thousands of blog sites, but I'd like to share some that I read routinely.
Dignity/Honolulu Fundraiser
Dignity/Honolulu is sponsoring a Spring Fling House Party fundraiser on Saturday, April 21, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., at the Queen Emma Gardens, Tea House #2, in downtown Honolulu. There will be heavy pupus (hors d’oeuvres) and a silent auction as some of the activities. The suggested donation for the event is $15.00.
DignityUSA Board Meets in San Antonio
The DignityUSA Board of Directors met during the weekend of February 24-26, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting began with a welcome from Dignity/San Antonio members who provided goody bags filled with traditional Texas treats.
Loving God, Loving Self, Loving Neighbor Retreat a Success
Members of Dignity/Columbus, Dignity/Dayton's Living Beatitudes Community (LBC), and Simply Catholic faith community met on February 24 for a one day retreat entitled "Loving God, Loving Self, Loving Neighbor." The retreat was held at the Living Beatitudes Community worship space at Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Dayton.
Honoring St. Joseph with a Traditional Festival
“To you, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse….. Shield us under your patronage that, following your example, and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven”
Queer Catholic Faith Offers Spiritual Discussions
DignityUSA is sponsoring a series of interactive videoconferences that offer members of the LGBT and allied Catholic community the opportunity to share their perspectives on faith and spirituality, and we hope, to make dialogue about how we live Catholicism more normative in our community.
DignityUSA Has Strong Presence at New Ways Ministry Symposium
When New Ways Ministry held its Seventh National Symposium on Catholicism and Homosexuality in Baltimore, Maryland March 15-17, 2012, DignityUSA was well-represented. Board members Mark Clark and Tom Yates attended, as did former DignityUSA President Bob Miailovich. Lauren Carpenter, Facilitator of the DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus, and five other Caucus members, reached out to other young adults in attendance, talking about their experience in local Chapters and within the national organization. Sr. Clarice Sevegny and Frederikka Maxwell of DignityUSA’s Transgender Caucus also networked with many in attendance. Chapter leaders from Denver, CO, Washington, DC, and San Francisco, CA were also there. Program Manager Jim Smith raised awareness about the upcoming ballot measure to amend Minnesota’s constitution to prevent marriage equality. Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke gave a presentation on coalition-building for justice, along with colleagues from Equally Blessed.
Equally Blessed calls on the USCCB to disassociate with the National Organization for Marriage
March 29, 2012
Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street NE
Washington DC 20017-1194
Dear Cardinal Dolan:
Congratulations on your recent appointment as Cardinal. We pray that the Catholic community will be blessed by your leadership and ministry in this role.
Speaking Truth To Power: A Prophetic Witness
On Friday, February 10, 2012 in Annapolis, Maryland, Dignity/Washington testified through its president, Allen Rose at the House of Delegates joint-committee hearings for Maryland’s marriage equality bill. The following is the complete text of Allen’s remarks:
Reflections following Cardinal George’s statement
During the holiday season many voices echoed the traditional call of Christmas that Scripture records as the voice of angels: “Peace on earth, good will to all.” However another voice also emerged – an important, powerful voice – that spoke not of peace but of intolerance, division, and fear. That voice was Cardinal Francis George, whose interview with Fox News Chicago aired, on of all days, Christmas morning.
Dignity/Chicago Forces Apology
I was coming to the end of a long day of client work, a few days before the Christmas holiday weekend, when thoughts of “peace on earth, good will to all” were shattered by a call from a Chicago Tribune reporter informing me, as president of Dignity/Chicago, that Cardinal George had just completed a taping of an interview for the local Fox News outlet and had compared the “gay liberation movement” to the Ku Klux Klan. “Do you have a comment?” she asked.
Here is the exact quote from the Cardinal:
Letter to the Editor of Columbus Dispatch
February 14, 2012
Editor
Columbus (OH) Dispatch
Dear Editor:
As a life-long Roman Catholic with a Masters in Theology, I am compelled to write in regards to the recent hubbub between the Obama Administration, Republican Presidential candidates and the Bishops of my Church over contraception. I am going to say what most Catholics dare not to say, although they believe it. This government policy does not constitute a “war on Catholicism.”
Open Letter to Archbishop Sartain
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire’s Marriage Equality Speech
Today I stand before you as Governor of the state of Washington...And as a wife...a mother…a student of the law...and as a Washingtonian with a lifelong commitment to equality and freedom.
Today, I’m announcing my support for a law that gives same-sex couples in our state the right to receive a marriage license in Washington – the same right given heterosexual couples. It is time, it is the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it.
Vision Statement
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.
Upcoming Events
QCF: Fr. John McNeill
May 22nd, 2012
Priest, Prophet, Patriarch of gay Catholic liberation
QCF: Mary Hunt
June 12th, 2012
Catholic theologian, Women-Church movement leader, Huge heart, Huge mind
DignityUSA's 21st National Convention Pre-Registration
July 4th, 2013
Pre-register NOW with a $100 Deposit (get 10% discount on registration fee). (more...)
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