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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume 13, No. 3
March 2004
DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch BillWVW3@aol.com
The DignityUSA office has a new address. Instead of Suite 11, it is now Suite 8.
After more than 25 years in a one room efficiency apartment, the National Board approved moving down the hall to larger space. The new office provides work space for the 3 paid staff members, along with the office volunteers. It also provides better storage space for the files and financial records that must be kept.
Many
years ago, Frank Nigro, of Dignity/ Northern Virginia and Dignity/ Washington
(DC), built shelves on top of the bathtub, which was a great use of
the space. It was only appropriate that Frank was the one to disassemble
those shelves while he helped the office staff move the furniture and
file cabinets to the new office.
The increased expense of rent was covered by very generous gifts from individual members and chapters. If anyone wants to help defray these costs, please send your donation to DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 8, Washington, DC 20005-1894.
Nominations Open for DignityUSA Board of Directors
Nominations for four (4) positions on the DignityUSA Board of Directors opened on February 15, 2004. All elected members serve a two (2) year term.
Any regular member of DignityUSA is eligible to serve on the DignityUSA Board of Directors. You may place yourself in nomination or be nominated, with your consent, by other members of DignityUSA. All members are ensured the opportunity to be placed in nomination. Those who accept nomination must have their candidate statement and photo to the Nominating Committee by April 15, 2004.
If you, or someone you know, is qualified and willing to run for a leadership position in DignityUSA, you may submit their name on a Nomination Form, found on the DignityUSA website at www.dignityusa.org/nominations/nominations04.html. These documents can also be obtained by calling the national office (1-800-877-8797). Send the completed form to: DignityUSA Nominating Committee, 1500 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 8, Washington, DC 20005-1894, or by Fax at 202-429-9808.
Questions, comments or concerns can be addressed to Bob Lohrentz, National Director/Nominating Committee Chair at rwlohr@msn.com.
DignityUSA to Participate at National Religious Leadership Roundtable Event
DignityUSA is a participant in the National Religious Leadership Roundtable (NRLR) convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF).
The upcoming meeting is taking place in Boston, March 9 and 10, 2004.
The NRLR was invited by the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry to move its meeting to Boston. It was decided that at this moment, when the religious right is gathering all of its forces to oppose the upcoming reality of same sex civil marriages in Massachusetts, our institutional support of the progressive voice in Boston would be stronger by meeting in that city.
A public event, with press, will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at 7:00 PM, at the Emmanuel-Boston Church (15 Newbury Street) in Boston.
Everyone is welcome to attend this event and support our Executive Director, Matthew Gallagher.
Publication Support for Gay Pride Events
As chapters and members prepare to represent Dignity at your local Pride festivals, please give the DignityUSA national office plenty of lead time for mailing brochures to you. They have about 10,000 of the Daniel Helminiak brochures, "Catholicism, Homosexuality, and DIGNITY: Questions and Answers About Being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered and Catholic," and about 4,000 of the "Who We Are" Membership and Angel Program brochures.
The national office requests you reimburse them for the cost of shipping the materials.
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
Maui (HI) - 11 Years
Cincinnati (OH) 31 Years
| For the most up-to-date Dignity press releases regarding the same-sex marriage issue, go to www.dignityusa.org. |
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.
DignityUSA Membership Meetings
DignityUSA will conduct three (3) membership meetings at various locales in 2004.
The first of these will be held in Washington, DC, the weekend of June 4 - 6, 2004. Mark your calendars.
The other two meeting dates have yet to be determined.
Comments of a Chapter President
The following are excerpts taken from Drew Carey's letter to the Dignity/Indianapolis (IN) chapter, prior to chapter elections held December 14, 2003.
"At our December meeting this Sunday the 14th, we'll be electing new leaders for Dignity/Indianapolis. I have served as president of the chapter for three years, the first year as co-president with Cathy Scott. Before that, I served as president of the chapter in the late 80's and early 90's, as well as other leadership positions in the chapter.
"I simply believe very strongly in the mission of Dignity, which is basically to show gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people that they are all children of God, created by God exactly the way they are for a divine purpose.
"I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I have had my struggles with the Catholic Church. In the 90's, I left the Church for about six years because I was so disgusted with it and didn't want to be associated with it. In the past few months, I've been feeling something similar. I don't go to Mass as often at my parish. My voice and actions are tinged with that same anger and disgust I felt 10 years ago. I'm ashamed of our Church leaders, embarrassed to be associated with them. I believe in my heart they are profoundly wrong on so many issues, most notably when they try to dictate who God allows us to love and spend our lives with. And it's that conviction that our Church is so gravely wrong that keeps pushing me onward. I have to speak up in church. I have to say the words 'gay and lesbian' in church. I have to be a witness for the God that I believe is shedding many tears for the direction the church has taken. I do that by being as fully 'out of the closet' as I can safely be in my family, with friends, at work, in the community. I do that by speaking up, writing letters to the editor, by getting involved in the gay community. I do that by being a member of Dignity.
"While being involved in an affirming community is gratifying, it's really not enough for us to simply come to Dignity every month for Mass. We have to be actively involved in our Dignity chapter. [W]ith our new membership structure, you don't have to pay $45 to join Dignity. If all you can afford or wish to give is $5, give $5. That makes you a member but more important, it gives you a voice through our national office and makes DignityUSA's voice stronger. If you're not a member, then become a member by going to www.dignityusa.org. If you are a member, then become a Dignity Angel by committing to donate a certain amount of money every month to DignityUSA. I can only afford the basic Angel membership, $21 a month. But I'm still an Angel!
"In addition to your membership, you must get involved in the activities of our chapter. Right now, we meet once a month on the 2nd Sunday for Mass. For the past two years, we tried meeting on the 4th Sunday, first for a faith-sharing group that didn't take off, then, this year, for dinner out at a local restaurant. People said they wanted more opportunities to get to know one another. But few participated. In 2004, we're dropping the scheduled 4th Sunday program.
"If you are interested in coordinating these 4th Sunday programs, then let the new leadership know. Or if you want to just coordinate ONE program, let someone know. During my years as president, I heard from many people who said 'Why doesn't Dignity do X?' or 'I think Dignity needs to do more Y.' Most of time, none of the people offered to coordinate it. I know that a basic tenet of volunteer development is that you have to ask people to volunteer. And when I asked people to help set up for the Dignity Masses, many of you stepped up. I am grateful for that. But I ask you now to think about what issues you believe our chapter needs to address and come up with a solution. Then implement that solution!
"We have to be involved in a parish of our own, become active members of that parish, and be out of the closet if at all possible. People rarely assume that you are gay. They give you the 'benefit of the doubt' and assume you're straight. You have to talk about your partner, and speak up against the teachings and pronouncements of the Catholic Church that are harming our brothers and sisters. You have to be as gay as God created you! You need to believe that your being gay is God's gift to you! I know there is a lot of fear of repercussions of being out, and it is a personal choice that no one can make for you. But have faith that if you do come out, God will take care of you!"
Volunteers Needed to Spread the Word!
Going on a cruise? Participating in a GLBT event/rally?
DignityUSA, and its chapters, are initiating a new membership promotional program. We need more members. You can help by taking DignityUSA postcards to your event. Display them on a hotel door or area where printed materials are welcome. Talk to individuals and give them a card to fill out and send back.
Your ideas on how to distribute these cards are welcome. Please share with us so others may benefit.
Contact the DignityUSA national office for a supply of these promotional postcards, info@dignityusa.org, by phone at 1-800-877-8797, or by USPS mail service, DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave. NW #8, Washington, DC 20005-1894.