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DignityUSA
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RETURN TO > DATELINES > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume
9, No. 12
December 2000
CONSIDERING END OF YEAR DONATIONS?Remember
DignityUSA! Tax-deductible contributions may be made by check,
Visa or MasterCard. Please send your gift to: |
DignityUSA PARTICIPATES IN FORD FOUNDATION CONSULTATION
In an effort to evaluate its funding priorities the Ford Foundation, one of the nations largest foundations, invited DignityUSA to participate in a one-day evaluation conference. The conference, held on Wednesday, October 3, was directed by the Foundation’s Asset Building and Community Development program and focused solely on Sexuality and Religion. At the recommendation of Marianne and Mary Louise, Fr. Tom was selected as our representative the meeting.
Fr. Tom said "it was perhaps one of the most important meetings Dignity representatives have attended in that our voice was asked for in shaping the future of Ford Foundation funding in the areas of religion and sexuality." The meeting sought to evaluate past programming for the foundation but also sought to look to the future and explore new areas and avenues of involvement in which issues of sexuality and religion could be expanded. Fr Tom also indicated that "it was a great moment for expanding the collaborative efforts of Dignity to a number of organizations who support our efforts but with whom we have had no contact in the past." Dignity was the only organization at the table with a specific gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered identity and constituency.
The discussion focused on current Sexuality and religion initiatives and explored gaps in religious sexuality education and unmet needs for the future. Dignity was recognized on several occasions throughout the meeting for being in the forefront of keeping issues of sexuality alive and ensuring the inclusion of all aspects of sexuality in the national public policy discussions of religion and sexuality.
The Ford Foundation staff will now take the work of the consultation into consideration and will issue its recommendations for future funding to its Board of Directors. Mary Louise indicated "this meeting was once again, another way in which we seek to live out the mission of Dignity and share the vision of a religious world free of homophobia that celebrates the diverse gifts of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangendered brothers and sisters."
DIGNITY NATIONAL HIV/AIDS PROJECT JOINS IN "BREAKING THE SILENCE ON HIV/AIDS" AT UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATION
On
Monday, Oct. 23 the United Nations Development Programme invited a number
of organizations through out the world to attend its annual commemoration
of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year’s
program focuses on HIV/AIDS and the devastating effect it continues
to have throughout the world. Our National HIV/AIDS Projects was
invited to attend and Fr. Tom attended the event.
At the end of 1999, 34.3 million adults and children were living with HIVAIDS and 18.8 million have already died. This event is the United Nations effort to remind the world community that the pandemic is stronger than ever. U.N. General Secretary, Kofi A. Annan reminded all in attendance that " In the war against HIV/AIDS, silence is just as much an enemy as the virus, the wall of silence is growing and its time to speak up and shatter the wall of silence."
As World AIDS Day nears, Fr Tom feels this call to break the walls of silence is a call that all Chapters and their members should take to heart. The pandemic has effected all of our lives and we are called to give continued support and care and to raise our voices in ending the current silence for pandemic continues to rage.
Christmas Greetings
Holiday greetings to one and all from your National Board and staff of DignityUSA. May the peace and joy of this season extend to your home and hearts. We ask that you spread this joy to all you meet. May love and laughter be with you. Happy Holidays.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
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NEW HAMPSHIRE |
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MID-HUDSON |
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TULSA |
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BOSTON |
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Re-Imagining Dignity Service
If you have questions about Re-Imagining Dignity, or would like to know about the progress of this special project, please subscribe to our email service by sending a blank email to ReimaginingDignity-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Join your national leadership team and members across the country in our continuing dialogue about how we might most effectively and efficiently structure DignityUSA to continue its vital ministry.
Thank you …
…to Dignity/Washington for opening wide your doors and sharing liturgy with the Soulforce-DignityUSA delegation to the NCCB meeting in November.
Thanks to Jim Green and Bill Diederich for their generous sponsorship of our national outreach at the recent Call To Action conference. Over one hundred people attended our reception on Friday evening, and many more stopped by our information table to learn more about DignityUSA, pick up a ribbon or button, and enjoy the delicious chocolates!
People of Dignity, Speak Up… & Take Personal Responsibility!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
