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DignityUSA Dateline
May 1997, Volume 6, Number 5
News to Note
Dignity Supports New Ways Symposium
Over 650 people attended "The Church Teaching/Teaching the Church" A National Dialogue on Lesbian/Gay Issues and Catholicism, the fourth national symposium sponsored by New Ways Ministry. Almost half of the attendees at the March 7-9 weekend gathering in Pittsburgh were sisters, priests and brothers; Dignity folks were also quite visible. Dignity members, including National President Marianne Duddy, Gertrude Ayerle, Daniel Helminiak and Linda McCullough, were among the prominent focus session presenters.
Other Dignity members served New Ways in various administrative roles, helping to assure the smooth operation of the conference. A Dignity caucus session was held on Saturday evening. Special thanks and recognition were given to Pittsburgh chapter members who staffed the Dignity information table. At final count, over 500 Solidarity Sunday 1997 cards with rainbow ribbons were distributed as were several hundred copies of the brochure Catholicism, Homosexuality and Dignity. Many requests for information and questions were also answered. After Marianne extended an invitation from the conference floor, the National office filled over 50 telephone requests for copies of DignityUSA's Sexual Ethics Task Force Report. Follow-up articles on the symposium, focusing on the major plenary speakers, have appeared in such diverse publications such as the Washington Blade, National Catholic Reporter, America and the Wanderer.
During his presentation, Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton urged gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons in the Church to come out ... and that include bishops and priests. Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester, NY, who presided at the weekend's major liturgy, spoke of the profound impact he felt during and after a mass he recently presided at for over 1,000 gays and lesbians, their families and friends.
"From a Dignity perspective," commented Bob Miailovich, "although the symposium did not answer all of our concerns, the open and positive discussion and the participation of a wide spectrum of the Church was a very bright spot on the journey."
Couples' Task Force Preparing Guidelines
The Couples' Task Force is working diligently to put together a Resource Guide for all Dignity chapters to help them better serve couples in their membership. The Task Force, which has been gathering materials from across the country, is also developing proposed Guidelines for Union Ceremonies for chapters. The group's goal is to finish its work in time for presentation at July's convention. In the meantime, the Task Force encourages chapters leaders to take immediate action in recognizing the committed relationships and unions shared by its members. One effective step the committee recommends is announcing anniversaries at liturgy and in the chapter bulletin or newsletter. Contact your Regional Coordinator with additional suggestions for the Resource Guide.
Notre Dame Policies
Marianne Duddy spoke to supporters of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender groups at Notre Dame on April 23. She was part of efforts to obtain campus recognition for these organizations and the struggle to have the university include sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy.
Candidates Announce - Presidential, Vice Presidential Slots
As of mid-April, National Secretary Ben Boerkoel had received a declaration of candidacy from Bob Miailovich for President, and Mary Louise Cervone for Vice President.
Bob, a Dignity member since 1977, is an active member of the Washington,DC and NOVA chapters and served on the Board as National Treasurer from 1991to 1995. He has, in addition, served on key national committees: Bylaws (1981-83); Finance (1983-85); and Campaign Procedures (1985-86). He has also been a delegate or officer at every biennial HOD since 1981. On the chapter level, he has served on the DC Board (1980-86) and secretary and president (1984-86). Originally from San Francisco, Bob has resided in DC since 1975. In 1996, he retired from a 33 year career with a Federal bank regulatory agency. He presently serves on the board of directors of New Ways Ministry and Among Friends, Inc. and is a past director with the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League and the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry.
Mary Louise, a Philadelphia member since 1989, has served as National Treasurer since 1995. Before that, she was a delegate to the 1993 and 1995 HOD. She led the Philadelphia chapter as president from 1992-94 and chaired the Mid-Atlantic Region's Committee for Women's Concerns from 1994-95. In her leadership positions, she has spoken out publicly as a community representative. She is presently a certified public accountant in private practice in Philadelphia where she lives with her partner, Kathleen Burke, and their son.
Delegate Details . . .
CREDENTIALS
The official HOD registration form for credentialing of delegates was mailed in mid-April.
HOD PREPARATIONS
Motions may be submitted through the beginning of the HOD, but those submitted by the March deadline are now having a full hearing and discussion at the Spring Regional HOD's. Ideas for motions should directed to chapter officers or delegates.
National Officers Candidates who wish to stand for election for the National President and Vice President for the 1997 to 1999 term must submit their names and qualifications to National Secretary Ben Boerkoel. Candidates are nominated and elected as a two person slate reflecting gender parity. Nominations close 60 days before the opening of the July, 1997 HOD.
Convention Update
Board of Directors: July 5 to 6
House of Delegates: July 7 to 9
Leadership Institute: July 10
General Convention: July 10 to 13
DignityUSA Convention '97
PO Box 956,
Back Bay Annex Boston, MA 02117
dignity97@aol.com
Anniversary Info
Dignity/CHICAGO invites friends to its 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration Saturday, May 17, 1997 Fairmont Hotel 6:30pm Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing Comedienne Lynn Lavner $75/person before May 5; $100 after Call 773. 296.0780 Then gather for a Special Mass Sunday, May 18, 7:00pm
Happy Anniversary: Northern VA 5; Madison 20; Dayton 22; Detroit 23; Cleveland 24; Philadelphia 24; Chicago 25; San Diego 25.
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