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DignityUSA
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DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume 12, No. 10
October 2003
Dignity in the News
Since the most recent barrage of attacks from the Vatican and the bishops' conferences in both the United States and Canada, Dignity has appeared numerous times in the press throughout North America in August and September. In an effort to keep the focus on civil rights, Dignity has refuted claims by the bishops that laws protecting our rights are tantamount to dictating morality. The fact of the matter seems to be the other way around. It is the bishops who are imposing their dictates upon the legal institutions of our countries. For more information on our role in the press, subscribe to the Dignity News Service and visit our website.
Incoming president Sam Sinnett appeared on Sirius Radio August 19 for a twenty-two minute interview with John McMullen. During the course of the radio program McMullen gave out our website address and read our Declaration on Same-Sex Marriage!
Outgoing president Pat McArron was recently featured in a cover article that appeared in the September 4 edition of the Southern California Gay & Lesbian Times, "The GLBT Religious Experience, Finding acceptance and unity along the spiritual path" by Tyler Hower.
Way to go Sam & Pat! Dignity Chapters across the United States and in Canada were called upon by the media to give Dignity's side of the story. And the news continues...
Dignity - Out and About
Chicago, IL - August 9-10, 2003 — Northalsted Market Days provided Dignity/Chicago an opportunity to reach out to the thousands of people walking along Halsted Street in ChicagoÍs Lakeview neighborhood. Our booth was set up with plenty of information and literature. We also used this opportunity to launch the new DignityUSA outreach campaign, using new literature and logos. The ñIÍm a Dignity Angelî motto was well received by folks stopping at the table. Most people were interested in talking to us and said they would rather take the membership brochure with them and mail it in. But we did have several people sign up immediately and others say they were interested in donating when they saw the “IÍm a Dignity Guardian Angelî brochure.
Overall, the new basic membership brochures were successful in reaching out to folks who may have otherwise felt like they could not join Dignity due to financial constraint. Those who did have a little extra also felt like they had the opportunity to give a larger donation, plus they were able to see right on the brochure what they could get back in return.
Thanks to the VaticanÍs most recent communication on Same Sex Unions our visibility in many parts of the community has been raised. The overall dialog with most people was upbeat and they appear to support our overall Mission. I believe recent community events and issues have contributed to a higher level of interest in Dignity this year. There was one conversation with an individual representing Courage that gave us the opportunity to debate the key differences in our Vision and Mission. I feel confident that both of us left the conversation with Dignity having a higher score in the debate.
Hopefully the response to DignityUSAÍs new membership strategy at other chapters will be similar to what we witnessed at Northalsted Market Days in Chicago.
— Linda Wesp and Steve Forst
Conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian & Gay Ministries
Palm Springs, CA Æ Sept 25-27, 2003 Æ DignityUSA President Pat McArron and Director Linda Rieder attended the 9th annual conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian & Gay Ministries. Out in the Desert Æ A Wellspring of Hope was the theme. Bishop Gerald Barnes, bishop of the San Bernardino Diocese (the host diocese) celebrated Mass with the attendees. In his homily he not only gave a warm welcome but also delivered a heartfelt apology to everyone present for the difficulties faced in this ministry.
Like Dignity, the NACDLGM is experiencing challenges to the ministry. A renewed sense of collaboration with Dignity and New Ways has emerged from this conference. It was made clear that since we are all in the same ministry, each with its own unique approach, the time had come for a mutual respect for and appreciation of the time and talents provided by all three Catholic GLBT ministries.
Dignity at work for you
- A new Dignity pamphlet for Sexual Abuse survivors is currently being drafted and will be ready for distribution soon thanks to a grant from the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the work of Stephen McDonnell.
- The first Board of Directors meeting of the new fiscal year takes place October 3-5, 2003 in Washington, DC with Sam Sinnett serving as our newly elected President and Peggy Burns continuing on as Vice President, Paula Lavallee - Secretary, Philippe LaChance - Treasurer and newly elected directors J. Montoya, Mark Matson, & Patty Hayes. Also joining the board is Marty Grochala from Chicago. Continuing their service into the New Year are directors - Chellie Griffin, Peggy Hayes, Pat McArron, Tom Streeper & Lewis Tanner. Ben Boerkoel will continue his service to the board as Strategic Planning Facilitator.
- In November DignityUSA will once again be actively participating in the CTA National Conference in Milwaukee as a workshop presenter. Please join us.
- Also in November DignityUSA will be working with our allies in the reform movement during the COR (Catholic Organizations for Renewal) meeting just prior to the CTA Conference.
Dignity in search of volunteers
DignityUSA is reaching out to our membership in search of volunteers to serve as Journal Editor, replacing David Floss who is retiring from the job after 9 years of dedicated service.
DignityUSA is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2004 Nominations and Election Committees. Please refer to our website for more details and contact Dignity at info@dignityusa.org if you are interested.
DignityUSA is also seeking interested chapters in hosting DignityUSA Regional Meetings in 2004 throughout the United States.
Happy Anniversary
Dignity celebrates a combined 335 years of ministry in the following chapters:
- Greater Lansing - 15
- New Brunswick - 19
- New Mexico - 19
- Indianapolis - 22
- Maine - 23
- Toledo - 26
- Buffalo - 27
- Pittsburgh - 29
- Twin Cities - 29
- Seattle - 30
- New York - 31
- Washington - 31
- Los Angeles Æ 34
Congratulations to all of these chapters for dedicated service to the GLBT community.
WeÍre late Æ WeÍre late for an important datePlease accept our apologies. This edition of the Dignity Dateline is late due to a burglary at the home of our Dateline Editor, Bill Welch. Please keep him in your prayers as he begins to rebuild his losses. |
New Chapter in the works
Several members of DignityUSA who reside in the San Bernardino Diocese have expressed an interest in forming a chapter in Palm Springs, CA. A planning meeting is set for October 25 at 10am at Desert Pride Center, 1733 N Palm Canyon Dr Suite D, Palm Springs. Contact Bill or David bluejaybd@msn.com
Homosexuality: A Positive Catholic Perspective — Updated Version on the way
In the 1980Ís the Archdiocese of Baltimore established an outreach ministry to lesbian and gay Catholics. Part of their effort was the publication of a booklet entitled Homosexuality: A Positive Catholic Perspective. It was written in the "catechism format" of questions and answers and proved to be a valuable resource in knowing the positive aspects of the official churchÍs view toward homosexuality.
Called to Be Peacemakers:Prophetic Leadership for World and Church The Call To Action National Conference November 7- 9, 2003 Milwaukee, WI To sign up visit |
The topics explored in the booklet include pastoral ministry, sexual ethics, civil rights, myths and stereotypes, mental health, parental concerns, adolescent worries, and the Bible. There is a bibliography of Catholic books, as well as books for parents and lesbian/gay youth. A list of Catholic Church statements is also included.
All nine chapters of the original booklet appeared in installments in The Catholic Review, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The biblical series later appeared in the national newsletter of DignityUSA and in The Washington Blade, a gay/lesbian publication in the Nation's Capital.
New Ways Ministry will soon be publishing the final product. Look for ordering information on this important resource in future editions of the Dignity Dateline & Dignity Journal.
DignityUSA Convention 2005 in Philadelphia
July 7 -10, 2005
Loews Hotel Æ Downtown Philadelphia
10% discount for Early Registration ends October 31, 2003
Contact DignityUSA or visit www.DignityUSA.org for early registration information
For additional information or questions contact Conv2005@dignityusa.org
