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DignityUSA
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DignityUSA
Volume 13, No. 8
August 2004
DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch BillWVW3@aol.com
| Keeping you informed TABLE OF CONTENTS DignityUSA Participates in U.S. Center for Disease Control Consultation Midwest Regional Conference and West Coast Regional Conference |
DignityUSA Participates in U.S. Center for Disease Control Consultation
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) requested DignityUSA participate in an extremely important national consultation on men who have sex with men (MSM), to address the rising increase in numerous health issues, especially the elevated level of the spread of Syphilis and new HIV/AIDS cases among MSM's. The CDC invited DignityUSA to the gathering in Atlanta, GA on July 1, 2004, because it recognizes our expertise to speak for members of the GLBT community from a faith perspective, and our ability to reach a number of gay men throughout our membership.
Fr. Tom, Chairman, DignityUSA's National AIDS Project, represented us. Tom noted it was a great honor for DignityUSA to have been invited to the table for this vital discussion. There were only 25 community organizations invited to participate. Communities of faith were represented by DignityUSA and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC, a.k.a MCC). "I was greatly moved when a leader from a very well known national organization told the group how important it was to him to be able to turn to Dignity in his need and find support," Fr. Tom said.
Tom indicated, "It truly provided an opportunity among the participants, who were considered 'leaders' by the CDC, to strategize and develop ways to increase our awareness and to respond to the continuing growth in sexually transmitted disease rates." He noted that "the CDC is counting on our ability as an organization in the national forefront to promote awareness and behavioral risk reduction."
The AIDS pandemic is far from over. As the facts become more and more evident, this is yet another way DignityUSA could exercise its prophetic role. By educating and challenging our members to act in an ethically responsible fashion, we can help curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. As Tom noted, "It is a difficult challenge before us, but one which DignityUSA cannot afford to shy away from."
"Perhaps Dignity Chapter leadership might want to consider some form of chapter program to further educate our local communities and assist in carrying out this national endeavor to end the rising trend of the spread of Syphilis and new HIV/AIDS cases among men who have sex with men."
Fr. Tom indicated there are several resources online available for chapter programming or personal information, with one of the best resources being provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC).
If you are interested, Tom suggests you go to the website http://www2a.cdc.gov/std101 and locate STD 101 In-A-Box. This includes nine ready-to-use STD (sexually transmitted disease) presentations, a user's guide with suggested agendas, discussion questions, and a script for an interactive group exercise.
To access STD 101 In-A-Box, go to the website and register for a password. Shortly after registration, you will receive your password via email and can then order the program free of charge.
We Must Speak Our Truth
Midwest
Regional Conference
July 31 - August 1, 2004
Cox Arboretum, Dayton, OH
Co-Hosted by Dignity/Columbus & Dignity/Dayton
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Keynote speaker, Rev. Phil Hart, Executive Director of Sanctorum, and the first United Methodist Minister defrocked for coming out, on "Prophecy: the Call, the Cost, the Change."
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Presentations by Matthew Gallagher, Executive Director, DignityUSA; Frank DeBernardo, Executive Director, New Ways Ministry, and Sam Sinnett, President, DignityUSA.
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DignityUSA Membership Meeting with Sam Sinnett
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Mass with guest homilist Marie Sweeney, MA Theology, Chicago Theological Union and member of St. Thomas More Newman Center at The Ohio State University.
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Continental breakfast both days and lunch on Saturday. Dinner on your own.
West Coast Regional Conference
October 16 - 17, 2004
Dignity Center, Los Angeles, CA
Hosted by Dignity/Los Angeles
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Fundraising dinner on Friday Evening, Oct 16th
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Dignity/Los Angeles will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Taix Restaurant, Los Angeles, on Saturday evening. Conference attendees are invited to attend the event for an additional fee.
More details at
www.dignityusa.org/2004conferences/index.html
DignityUSA Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality and, as beloved persons of God, participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
2004 National Election Results
The general membership and chapter votes from the recent national elections are in.
Four directors have been elected to serve on DignityUSA's national Board of Directors for a two year term beginning Oct 1, 2004. Lewis Tanner (NY) has been re-elected. Three newly chosen directors are Rosemary Burdick (CN), Leo Tibesar (MN) and Dick Young (OH).
The Board of Directors wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the following for also placing their names into nomination for these board positions: Drew Carey (IN), Gene Corpuz (HI), Leo Egashira (WA), and Chellie Griffin (TX). Your dedication and service do not go unnoticed. We look forward to your continued commitment to DignityUSA.
Special thanks to Chellie Griffin, Peggy Hayes, Bob Lohrentz, and Tom Streeper, who are leaving the Board September 30, 2004, as national directors, for all their past and very significant future efforts to further our great mission.
We ask that anyone willing to work for our national organization consider being nominated for our future elections or volunteering to help with the work of our various committees. We still have an engaged, working Board and we need other DignityUSA members to work on our committees and programs with us. Next year's Nominations and Election Committees are now forming! (Contact Matt Gallagher, DignityUSA Executive Director, ExecutiveDirector@dignityusa.org) for further information.
2005 will offer our members another opportunity to vote. In the odd-numbered and Convention years, we vote for three member-elected directors and one president/vice-president slate.
| The firm of Martin & Wall is providing CPA services for DignityUSA. For information about their services, visit www.martinwallcpa.com |
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
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Nassau (NY) - 25 Years
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San Antonio (TX) - 28 Years
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Denver (CO) - 30 Years
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Metro New Jersey (NJ) - 30 Years
TRAVEL ADVISORYThe liturgy at Provincetown, MA has been discontinued. |
Have Yourselves a Safe & Joyful Summer
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.
