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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
Comments to
Web manager
RETURN TO > DATELINE HOMEPAGE > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
April
2000
Volume 9, No. 4
Re-Imagining Dignity
Many thanks for your participation in the Re-Imagining Dignity project by returning the questionnaires that you received. We have had several requests for additional time to complete the surveys, and are therefore extending the deadline to April 30th. And for all of you Internet savvy readers out there we have provided an on-line version of the Questionnaire. If you would like to respond online, please email the national office at info@dignityusa.org, and we will provide you with the web address for the on-line questionnaire. You may also request a hard copy or an email version as well by contacting the national office via email or at 800-877-8797 and one will be sent to you. Please don't hesitate to email any questions.
Gay Catholics Call for Inclusion in Pope's Jubilee Apology
On March 9, 2000 DignityUSA issued a Press Release calling upon John Paul II to include the GLBT community in his public apology.
The Papal apology comes as part of the commemoration of 2000 as a Jubilee Year, a time the Church has designated as "a year of reconciliation and forgiveness" in accord with ancient Judeo-Christian tradition.
Marianne Duddy, DignityUSA Executive Director, said that the Church has harmed gay people in numerous ways throughout history. "From its keeping homosexuality shrouded in silence to its irresponsible naming of us as unforgivable sinners, to harmful interventions in public policy debates, the Catholic Church has caused gay and lesbian people untold grief," she said.
"The Church bears responsibility for people living in shame and despair, and even committing suicide. Too many people were told they were damned to Hell because of their love for people of the same sex. Of course the Church should apologize to us. It would be a welcome first step," Duddy said.
Cervone also noted that Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, the nation's largest Roman Catholic diocese, mentioned gay and lesbian people in his recently released apology, and acknowledged that the Church is homophobic at times. She also said that Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit received a warm response when he asked the Dignity community for forgiveness at the organization's national convention last summer. "We are pleased that these two Church leaders have taken this step," said Cervone. "It represents a good beginning, and gives us hope that one day the Church will fully affirm its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members."
For the full text of the Press Release please visit our DignityUSA website.
DignityUSA Website Expansion
In
the February Dateline we reported to you that the DignityUSA website
is now being managed by Chuck Provancher, Boston, MA. We are pleased
to announce that our web presence continues to improve with every passing
week. Under Chuck's thoughtful management we now have an expanded Directory
section, a National Calendar of Events Page with several informational
links, and an expanded National Committees & Projects Page. There
are more navigational tools and the website has a new look featuring
our new corporate logo. You are encouraged to visit our website often
for all of the latest Dignity News and information. In fact we recommend
that you add the DignityUSA website (http://www.dignityusa.org)
to your Favorite Places/Browser Bookmarks for quick and easy access.
In the coming months you will see even more improvements made to our
corporate website with improved navigational tools and graphics. As
always we welcome your comments and suggestions regarding our presence
on the Internet.
Web Calendar
Attention all Chapters and Regions! You are invited to submit the dates of your chapter anniversary celebrations and significant Regional events. These dates will then be included in our new National Calendar of Events Web Page. This calendar is intended to not only help promote your event but also help in future planning of events. Visit the Calendar at our DignityUSA website for guidelines on how to submit your requests.
Thank you!
Special thanks to our Northern Virginia, Provincetown & Boston chapters and the New England Region for donating a combined total of $780.45 from tithing projects and second collections. Thanks also to our monthly donors. With your gifts, we will be able to continue to build a stronger organization and carry out our ministries and mission.
MMOW Update
The Millennium March is just around the corner, April 28-30. We have established a Calendar of Dignity Events on the DignityUSA Website at http://www.dignityusa.org/mmow.html. Be sure to check it out for all of the latest information regarding our participation in the big weekend in Washington DC.
DignityUSA AD Campaign
By now you know that Dignity is embarking on a new and bold advertising campaign to attract more members to our great organization. To that end the Board of Directors has authorized our first set of Ads for the year 2000 to appear in 3 separate editions of the national ADVOCATE Magazine. The first Ad is scheduled to appear in the April 11 Cover Date issue. The Membership Committee and National Officers have spent many hours and much discussion on creating eye catching and thought provoking new Ads.
See entire ad campaign… (may take a few moments to download at slow speeds)
Down, but not out!
The approval of Proposition 22 in California in March is viewed as only a beginning rather than an end. The reaction from the glbt community has been swift and strong. There is now set in motion an attempt to place a new ballot measure on the November ballot which would in effect make same sex marriage legal in the state of California. You are encouraged to visit the Californians for Same-Sex Marriage website at http://www.samesexmarriage.org for more information on how you can help turn the events of March 7 around in California.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
| BALTIMORE | 27 |
| HARTFORD | 25 |
| FORT LAUDERDALE | 15 |
HAPPY EASTER!
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