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DignityUSA
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tel: 800.877.8797
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RETURN TO > 1996 > DATELINE
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DignityUSA DATELINE
July/August 1996
Dignity Sponsors Church Reform Referendum
DignityUSA has announced its endorsement of a nationwide referendum calling for substantive reform in the Roman Catholic Church. The effort, spearheaded by a coalition of progressive Catholic groups called the "We Are the Church" Coalition seeks to gather a million signatures in support of a referendum document addressing such issues as the ordination of women, local election of bishops, and reform of the Church's teaching on human sexuality.
"This referendum effort gives Catholics who love our Church, but who believe that some of the Church's teachings are inconsistent with the messages of Christ, the chance to express themselves," said Marianne Duddy, National President."These issues represent the real concerns of tens of thousands of grassroots Catholics, concerns that are often not reflected or voiced by many Church leaders." Among the issues addressed in the referendum is a call for new thinking on sexual morality, including homosexuality, and for the Church to support civil rights legislation that protects all people, regardless of sexual orientation. "The forthright acknowledgment of gay issues in this referendum marks a real victory for Dignity and reform-minded Catholics, and truly, for all people who work for justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people," stated Marianne. "Equality for gay and lesbian people is now a stated goal on the Catholic social-justice agenda, just like equality for women.
"Every Catholic who signs this document will make an act of conscience in which they acknowledge that gay and lesbian people are part of the Catholic Church, and that our Church has a responsibility to act justly toward us in the centuries-old tradition of social justice that is at the core of Catholic belief. Every signer says 'yes' to freedom for gay and lesbian people from discrimination and violence."
Marianne contrasted this stance with recent Papal pronouncements that demanded that American Catholic bishops oppose legislation that would ensure equal protection for gay people. In one example, this year Maryland Catholic bishops effectively helped defeat two antidiscrimination measures pending before the Maryland legislature that would have protected gay and lesbian people in that state. "Catholic support for this document will give us powerful evidence of the fact that the Church hierarchy does not speak for us all... that the Spirit is giving voice to other truths... on issues of concern to gay Catholics, their families and friends. I strongly urge all Catholics who are supportive of gay people, be they your sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, cousins, or friends, to sign this referendum when you have the opportunity to do so. It is important for us to know of your support as we work to reform our Church," she concluded.
New Brochure Set for Publication: Catholicism, Homosexuality, & Dignity
A brochure written by Daniel Helminiak, a former member of Dignity/Austin and the author of the bestselling book "What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality," will be published by DignityUSA this summer. Intended to be used as an educational and recruiting tool by local chapters, the brochure will be distributed free of charge to each chapter. The project has been supported by substantial donations from the Pacific Region, Dignity/San Francisco, and an anonymous member of the chapter. A tri-fold pamphlet in question-and-answer format, the brochure poses and answers fifteen key questions, including:
- What is Dignity?
- What is the official Catholic teaching about homosexuality?
- What options are open to a person who is homosexual and Catholic?
Jeff Stone, a member of the DignityUSA board and the National Director for the Northeast Region, worked with Helminiak to update the brochure, which was produced in an earlier version by Dignity/San Antonio. "This is exactly the kind of resource that the national board feels we should be providing to the local chapters," Jeff said. "It could be used as part of a welcome packet to new or prospective members, at gay pride events, as an educational outreach to parishes and gay ministries, and in many other ways.
It's also valuable for those of us who are already Dignity members, since it's so well-written and packs so much good information into such a short space. It reminds us of who we are and of the unique role that Dignity continues to play within the Church and within the gay rights movement. The national board is very excited to be able to make this publication available by working together with generous members of our community, starting with Daniel Helminiak, and with local chapters."
Solidarity Sunday
DignityUSA's second annual Solidarity Sunday, a day to stand in witness against physical, verbal, emotional, and religious bashing of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, is set for October 6, 1996, just three months away. This year the celebration is more important than ever before.
Political and religious anti-gay rhetoric are at an all time high as the election season approaches. Hate crimes are on the rise. Even the state of Minnesota reported an increase of 15% in hate crimes last year. In some areas of the country, however, those who support gay and lesbian civil rights are becoming more vocal. Polls continue to show that 80% of those who know gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender folks support their civil rights. The same polls also show that of those who claim not to know a gay or lesbian person, 65% do not support g/l/b/t civil rights.
What can our friends, relatives, and neighbors do to bring about understanding and change? Participate in the second annual Solidarity Sunday: wear a rainbow ribbon at a worship service on Sunday, October 6, and pray for an end to the persecution of g/l/b/t people in churches and in the course of daily living.
Last year, according to Coordinator Bruce Jarfster's best estimates, Dignity chapter members distributed almost 50,000 brochures and ribbons. This year the goal is to increase participation by 10 to 50 percent. Regional coordinators will appoint a regional Solidarity Sunday coordinator and each chapter, in turn, should appoint a chapter coordinator.
In addition to chapter outreach in local churches, efforts to increase participation by supporting organizations such as PFLAG and the Unitarian Church will also be mounted. Prayer cards with rainbow ribbons will be available to non-Dignity organizations and individuals. Plans call for making 50-100,000 cards and selling them for $15.00 per one hundred to cover the cost of materials, labor, and advertising.
Bruce, the National Coordinator of the Solidarity Sunday campaign says," We will fulfill our goal of distributing 250,000 cards and ribbons. And we will increase the number of those 'who know us.' Let us work together to end verbal and physical bashing of any of God's children!"
The Solidarity Sunday '96 campaign will also be led by Fr. Tom and Jerry Deas in Grants and Funding; Peggy Hayes, in Media Outreach; and Mike Rodel, in Catholic Outreach. Sam Sinnett will also play a key role. The two committees that still need coordinators are Non-Catholic Outreach and Political Outreach.
To volunteer to help or for more information, contact Bruce at (210) 545-9097 or e-mail brucesj@aol.com.
National AIDS Project Lobbies Hill
Fr. Tom, DignityUSA's National AIDS Project Chair was one of over 500 HIV/AIDS advocates from around the country who descended on Capitol Hill from May 18 through 21 for AIDS Watch '96. Fr. Tom said his trip, made possible by a grand from the George Gund Foundation, was "a truly rewarding time when meeting members of Congress who were willing to spend federal dollars on HIV/AIDS research. It was, however, equally frustrating when I met members of Congress who were totally ignorant on the subject of who expressed blatant homophobia in the face of the pandemic."
AIDS Watch ’96 is sponsored by the National Association of People with AIDS and AIDS National Interfaith Network in collaboration with over fifty other national and regional AIDS organizations. The goal of this annual grassroots event is to meet with members of Congress and call for more funding for AIDS research and care, better support of AIDS housing, and increases in prevention incentives free of homophobic discriminatory language and practices. This year's focus was Prevention, Care, and Research.
Fr. Tom joined the New York City Gay Men's Health Crisis Center delegation and then because of DignityUSA's national importance, Fr. Tom was also asked to visit Colorado's Congressional offices. Quite fittingly, it was the very day of the Supreme Court's decision against Colorado''s Amendment 2.
As he handed materials to Colorado staffers, Fr. Tom reminded them that DignityUSA shared in this historic decision with its amicus curiae brief. "Needless to say, they were not pleased but they were willing to listen to my concerns on HIV/AIDS," he recalled.
Fr. Tom thinks the next step is for Dignity's chapter members to get in touch with members of Congress and to make their voices heard. "They really do listen to their constituents. As members of Dignity, our voice is one recognized for the strength of its faith and its continual outreach to our brothers and sisters in need. It is really very easy.
Call, write, or e-mail your Representatives asking them to support increased in AIDS programs. Write to John Porter, Chair of the House Labor/HSS Subcommittee and Jerry Lewis of the House's VA/HUD Subcommittee. It really is a matter of life and death. Pick up the phone and call the House of Representative Switchboard at 202-226-3121. Make our voices heard!"
Washington,DC Weekend
DignityUSA's Board of Directors' meeting and the last full display Names Project Quilt will provide the setting for a busy and moving weekend in Washington, DC, October 11-14, 1996.
To provide members from across the country an opportunity to participate in both of these events, Dignity requested a block of fifty rooms at the Quality Inn in Washington, DC. The hotel, near Scott and Dupont Circles, has extended members a reasonable room rates of $85/single and $95/double (plus taxes) per night.
According to Pacific Director Jerry Deas, "The weekend will present a unique opportunity for the membership to see the workings of their national organization, visit the Quilt, and see Washington, DC in the fall of the year.
Make your plans now for this visit to the DC area. Washington, DC area chapter members are looking forward to hosting you. Plans are also being made for a number of special prayer services and gatherings. To make your reservation call the Quality Inn directly at 800-368-5689 and request the DignityUSA rate.
Thank You Donors
Many thanks to these members who have generously given $3,325 to the Membership Expansion Program under the direction of Basile-Ryan:
- James Caskey
- Thomas Cunningham
- Jerry Deas & Thomas Cook
- Marianne Duddy & Becky Burke
- Donald Easton & Jeff Alcott
- Janice Fraga
- Jack Frielingsdorf
- Stephen Getman
- James Green & William Diederich
- Peggy Hayes & M. Jane Powers
- Robert Miailovich
- Terry Mischel & Bradley Cameron
- William Weber
....and thanks also to these chapters for their gifts totaling $700:
- Boston
- Houston
- Greater Columbus
- Honolulu
- Washington, DC
- The Southern Region
HAPPY Anniversary
JULY:
- Central Penn. 21
- Fort Wayne 9
- Willamette Valley 11
AUGUST:
- Denver 22
- Metro New Jersey 22
- San Antonio 21
- Nassau 17
- Mid-New York 4
- Las Vegas 2
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