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DignityUSA DATELINE

Volume 12, No. 3
March 2003

Reflection on a DignityUSA Convention

By Mark Matson, Dignity/Columbus (OH)

Note: This is the 2nd of a series of related articles.

Leo Radel re-established a Dignity Chapter in Columbus in 1996. It was a time I was feeling spiritually beat up by the Catholic Church and ready to part company. The people in this new chapter kept one foot in like a hand grasp that keeps you from falling out a window.

In 1997 Leo, and his partner Joe Gentilini, encouraged me to attend the DignityUSA 1997 National Convention. They knew I was discouraged and they spoke highly of how previous conventions had charged their batteries. Since mine seemed drained, I thought "why not?" — Boston's a fun place anyway. The theme was "Prophets to the World." Speaker after speaker reminded me of the deep vein of Good and Grace in the Church and in me. These speakers reminded me that my issues were with Church authority, not Church people; that prophets have been called throughout time to re-dress and correct the Church when she strays from the Gospel, and that prophets almost always are unwelcome in their time.

Most important, the convention encouraged me to get back in the ring with the Church hierarchy — but this time on Christ's terms, not theirs. Their terms? "Intrinsically evil, fundamentally disordered and celibate." Christ's terms? Intrinsically holy, fundamentally loved and called into relationship.

At the closing liturgy, each of us was presented with a stole — reminding us of our priesthood and call to be prophets, as well as agents of change for a better Church. I remember thinking during the liturgy, "THIS is the Church I believe in!" The Love and Grace around me during that Eucharist was truly Sacramental.

The experience changed me. I returned to Columbus recharged. I later became President of the Dignity/Columbus (OH) chapter. While President, our Chapter sent 15 to the Chicago Convention — more than half our membership! It's easy to sell something when you really believe in it.

At each convention, I have met kindred spirits from across the country and formed new friendships that endure today. Each convention becomes a reunion with these good people.

I was introduced to The [DignityUSA] Defenders in Boston and pursued affiliation with them at the Denver Convention. In 2001, I established the first Defenders Chapter in the Midwest.

In 1998, I started an ecumenical organization called "The Shepherd Initiative" which gathered steam and went on to host a conference on "Reconciling Christianity and Homosexuality" — attracting 330 people from 12 states. We're working on another conference for this June 14. (www.shepherdinitiative.org)

Remember, I went to Boston disillusioned and ready to give up. I left the convention renewed and energized with the belief I could help move things in the right direction. And I have. Now that doesn't mean attending a convention means you'll end up Chapter President! But I am fairly certain you will find it a remarkable and extra-ordinary spiritual experience.

The 1997 Boston convention was a turning point for me. If you haven't attended a national gathering yet, I invite you to come to the DignityUSA Convention 2003 in Las Vegas in August. I'll be there to welcome you, as I was welcomed in Boston, …in Denver, … and in Chicago. (P.S. — we always have fun in these cities too!)

Dignity on the Scene — outreach and coalition networking

The National Religious Leadership Roundtable (NRLR) is convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) twice a year. Almost 5 years ago, DignityUSA was an important founding member of this coalition of interfaith LGBT religious and spiritual organizations and individuals.

Sam Sinnett, member of the DignityUSA Board of Directors, currently serves as our representative to NRLR. The Roundtable group met February 3-4, 2003, in Atlanta, GA, at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in the shadow of the Georgia state capitol's golden dome.

Approximately 25 members of this Roundtable gathered from many faith traditions to amplify the voice of pro-LGBT people of faith in public discourse. This is an incredibly diverse group of people gathered to build coalitions and promote understanding and respect among and for LGBT people of faith.

This recent meeting was in two parts. The first concentrated on the business of this Roundtable and focused around a presentation by Katheryn Johnson, Executive Director, of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). The presentation centered on what the religious right has been doing in a long term strategic infiltration of the Methodist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian Churches, by organizing itself through the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD).

From infiltration of the power structure, to re-phrasing and emphasizing doctrine, to taking over the seminaries, to its anti-GLBT positions, this process sounded incredibly like what we are continuing to experience in our Roman Catholic Church, and seems to happen across all faith and denominational lines. The complexity of responding to these attacks shows how much we can learn from each other, and the importance of our allies in doing this justice work.

The second day of the conference was a half-day meeting of 25 local clergy sympathetic to our issues. The objective was to get them to form a continuing coalition and be a positive voice of people of faith across a broad range of social issues, especially relating to race and LGBT issues.

The result of the Roundtable's efforts was astonishing. This fledgling Atlanta group now has a second meeting time, place and agenda, and some initial organizing support from NGLTF.

DignityUSA's Solidarity Sunday anti-violence project, with its new rainbow ribbon brochure, got promoted to many new faith communities during the event, including the gay friendly Catholic Shrine, whose meeting space we used.

The next meeting of NRLR will be a part of the Witness Our Welcome 2003 (WOW2003) conference in Philadelphia, PA, August 14 - 18, 2003.

DignityUSA's work is supported by contributions from you. Please send an extra contribution today to DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW #11, Washington, DC 2005-1894. "Dignity on the Scene" outreach and coalition networking requires the expenditure of money for travel & accommodations, as well as both paid and volunteer staff time. We cannot do this without *Angels to pay for these sacred efforts so essential to fulfilling our lifesaving mission.

Announcement

Sr. Jeannine Gramick Leads Pilgrimage

March 25-April 3, 2003. Sr. Jeannine Gramick will lead a pilgrimage to Catholic holy sites in Poland, Prague, and Budapest for friends of lesbian and gay Catholics. For details: 301-864-3604 or gramick@juno.com.

Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:

Cincinnati (OH) - 30 years

Maui (HI) - 10 years

GLBT Friendly Las Vegas

DignityUSA 2003 Convention Host City

Las Vegas is located in Clark County. The Clark County government recently included sexual orientation in their employee anti-discrimination policy. Oscar Goodman, newly elected mayor of Las Vegas, has promised a rainbow coalition in his office.

In 1993, legislators abolished the anti-sodomy laws that had been Nevada Law since the turn of the century. In 1994, Lon Mabon and the Oregon Citizen's Alliance sent his hate-motivated extremists to Nevada. Their mission "from God" was to gather signatures in support of anti-gay legislation similar to that in Colorado. Nevada's governor invited Mabon to leave the state. The gay community watched proudly as former Mayor, Jan Jones, told Mabon face-to-face there was no room in Nevada for his hate and to get out.

Las Vegas recently elected their first openly gay assemblyman, David Parks. Mr. Parks introduced a gay-rights bill outlawing discrimination against gays in the workplace. On May 29, Governor Kenny Guinn signed the bill into law.

The Gay Las Vegas nightlife can be a lot of fun. Pick up copies of the local gay-oriented Las Vegas Bugle and Out Las Vegas at one of the bars. You can find more information at the local gay bookstore, Get Booked, located at 4640 Paradise Road, one block north of Tropicana. Their number is 702-737-7780.

The Gay and Lesbian Center, 953 E. Sahara, Suite B-25, in Commercial Center, is helpful for community information. Their number is 702-733-9800.

"A Voice in the Desert" is calling you to the Alexis Park Resort Hotel in Las Vegas to attend DignityUSA's 16^th Biennial Convention, from August 7-10, 2003. Plan ahead now. Call 800-582-2228 (in the Continental US) or 702-796-3322 (outside the continental US) to make your room reservation today. Plan now to be a part of a GLBT-friendly atmosphere of Las Vegas. For more information on the convention and DignityUSA, go to our Web site at www.dignityusa.org or give us a call at 800-877-8797.

Reminders

Sr. Eileen De Long Scholarship Fund

The specific intent of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to persons attending DignityUSA biennial conventions. The Scholarship Committee is currently taking applications for the 2003 Convention in Las Vegas. To obtain a copy of the guidelines and application, please write: The Sister Eileen De Long Scholarship Committee, c/o DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005-1894.

Nominations Now Open

Nominations for President and Vice-President, as well as three (3) positions on the DignityUSA Board of Directors are now open.

Details on nominations, as well as the De Long Scholarship Fund, may be found in the DATELINE Feb. 2003 edition of archived newsletters at www.dignityusa.org.

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