DignityUSA - Dateline 7/03

What becomes a legend most? A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? A Broadway Tony? The title of Miss Atlanta Peach? Chicagoês Mr. Leather International?

How about a pilgrimage to the desert. Awesome, as well as soothing, sights and sounds. Delightful food for mind, body and spirit. Mixing with kindred spirits in workshops and energizing dinner-dance. Languishing in the dazzling splendors and majestic structures of the Las Vegas Strip. A sendoff wrapped in familial love and affirmation.

Get ready for all of this, as well as fun in the sun, because many of you are getting ready to head to DignityUSAês Convention 2003 in Las Vegas.

If youêve not yet made your reservations, thereês still time. Join us in Las Vegas, August 7-10, 2003, as we celebrate 34 years of service to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Catholic community. You can listen to nationally known speakers, attend exciting workshops, participate in liturgies and renew friendships with family and friends.

–I'm looking forward to seeing lots of old friends from around the country, hearing what the many wonderful speakers have to say, and worshipping together with the people of Dignity from around the nation,” says Bob Edgerly (Palm Springs, CA). –This will be my 12th biennial convention ã all of them from San Diego in 1979, with one exception ã and they all inspire, energize and rejuvenate.”

Speakers

Richard Sipe will be our keynote speaker. Sipe is a former Benedictine monk and priest who has done extensive research on the institution and practice of priestly celibacy. He is the author of several books, including, –Sex, Priests, and Power: Anatomy of a Crisis.”

We have several distinguished workshop speakers scheduled for our August convention. They include: Oliva Espin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Department of Womenês Studies, San Diego State University; Genevieve Chavez, Executive Director, Womenês Ordination Conference; Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL, Ph.D., author and co-founder of New Ways Ministry; Fr. John McNeill, Ph.D., humanitarian and author of –Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair”; Joanna Manning, an activist educator who raises awareness of peace and justice issues; and David Tseng, Executive Director of PFLAG.

Flexible Planning

You can attend the convention for one night, two nights or all nights. If you are unable to attend the entire convention, you can register to attend events only on Friday or Saturday. If you do plan to attend on Saturday, why not stay that evening for the –Midnight at the Oasis” Dinner Dance.

You have flexibility; you have options. The desert beckons you to be a voice for change. You still have time to change your mind and attend the 16^th Biennial DignityUSA Convention in Las Vegas.

DignityUSA has negotiated terrific room rates for the convention at the Alexis Park Resort, our host hotel. Convention rates are available from August 5-10, 2003. Room rates start at $89 per night (plus 9% Nevada room tax) for single or double occupancy. Additional guests are $20 each per night. Children 12 years of age and under stay free. You must make your room reservation by calling 800-582-2228 (in the Continental US) or 702-796-3322 (outside the Continental US). Hotel room reservations must be made no later than July 1, 2003.

American Airlines has been selected as the preferred airline carrier for our Convention 2003 in Las Vegas. If you make your flight reservations at least 30 days in advance, you will receive a 10% discount on standard fares. If you make flight reservations less than 30 days, you will receive a 5% discount on standard fares. This offer is good for travel from August 2 through August 15, 2003. Please call American Airlines at 1-800-433-1790 and request code A7183AF (DignityUSA) to make your reservations for Convention 2003. As a bonus for booking convention reservations through our group code with American Airlines, you can obtain a discount on an Avis rental car.

Recalling DignityUSA Convention 2001, Scott Freathy (San Diego, CA) says, –During that week, I felt more warmth of friendship, cried more tears of joy, had more outright fun, and felt closer to God than any week before or since. Simply put, I want more of what I experienced at the last convention ã a feeling of truly being alive!”

–A Voice in the Desert” is calling you to the Alexis Park Resort Hotel in Las Vegas to attend DignityUSAês 16^th Biennial Convention from August 7®10, 2003. Plan now ã you still have timeã to be part of a GLBT-friendly atmosphere of Las Vegas.

For more information on the convention and DignityUSA, log on to our Website at www.dignityusa.org/convention03 or give us a call at 800-877-8797.

Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:

Search on for New Executive Director

The DignityUSA National Board of Directors has announced that the search for a new Executive Director for the national organization has begun.

The Search Committee will shortly be posting the ad for the position on our website, as well as other websites and newspapers.

As announced by Pat McArron, President of DignityUSA, in a special bulletin release on May 30, 2003, Marianne Duddy, current executive director, will be moving on in her professional life in order to better focus on her new role as mother.

Explaining her decision, Marianne says, –Let me be clear that I am not saying good-bye to DignityUSA. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director for this organization, which I dearly love, and whose mission's success I believe is vital to our Church and our world. This job has afforded me rich opportunities for growth, friendships that are deep and lifelong, and the blessing of working with and on behalf of some of the world's most loving, gifted and giving individuals, couples and faith communities. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish during the past 3 1/2 years, and have every confidence that DignityUSA's next ED will help spur us to even greater visibility and strength.

–My desire to be very present during these critical first few years of Emily's life, and to share the daily experience of parenting with Becky, mean that I can no longer commit to the kind of travel schedule that doing this job well requires. However, I hope that there will still be ways for me to serve DignityUSA, and I will work with the Board to ensure a smooth transition once a new ED is hired.”

Beginning June 16, 2003, through Convention 2003, Marianne will continue to provide us with her talents on a part-time basis as she transitions into her new position as Executive Director of Hospitality Homes in Boston.

æCorrection

In the June 2003 edition of DATELINE article –Historic Moment: Dignityês Past, Present and Future,” the name of Bob Miailovich, DignityUSA past president, was omitted from the list of our organizationês national presidents participating in Dignity/Philadelphiaês 30th Anniversary celebration.

We apologize for the omission.

Reminder!

Express yourself by voting

Ballots have been distributed by mail to each member of DignityUSA. Two ballots have been mailed to each chapter.

To be counted, all ballots must be in the national office by July 1, 2003.

There are a total of seven nominees for three director positions and one slate for president & vice-president. Write-in candidates are also permitted.

If you have not received a ballot by June 1, 2003, please contact the national office at 800-977-8797, or by email at info@dignityusa.org.

Celebrate St. Mary of Magdala

July 22, 2003

First witness to the Resurrection of Christ and –Apostle to the Apostles,” nothing in Scripture indicates that St. Mary of Magdala was a prostitute.

Help restore her strong woman witness by celebrating her feast on July 22^nd.

Contact FutureChurch at info@futurechurch.org for:

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