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DignityUSA
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RETURN TO > DATELINES > HOME
DignityUSA
Volume 15, No. 5May 2006 |
Download
in PDF format…DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch, EditorDateline@dignityusa.org
Keeping you informed TABLE OF CONTENTS Roundtable of Love and Commitment |
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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.
Roundtable of Love and Commitment
In the first week of April 2006, Debra Weill, DignityUSA Executive Director, and Pat McArron, Past President, attended the most recent meeting of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable (NRLR) in Long Beach, CA. Welcoming host was the First Congregational Church of Long Beach — a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC).
Persons representing many faith traditions, including paganism, were present at this meeting. It was noted that what was lacking were persons of color, a concern we share within DignityUSA.
The newest organizational member, PK, representing paganism, contributed greatly to the discussions of process and structure of the NRLR.
If you are not familiar with NRLR, please visit www.thetaskforce.org/ourprojects/nrlr/index.cfm for lots of information about this important interfaith network.
The first day of the meeting was spent in an unusual way. The NRLR group lent its personal support to the Equality Riders of Soulforce. In pouring rain, they traveled from Long Beach, CA to Riverside, CA to witness at the Southern California Baptist University. For more information on the Equality Ride please visit their website at www.equalityride.com.
The group's second day was spent discussing several topics, including Faith in America and World Pride in Jerusalem, August 6-12, 2006. (see related article below). Another topic of discussion was the need for more communication between the various organizations represented at the roundtable.
Pat McArron says, "It was a real treat for me to be able to chat with my dear friend Mel White." [Rev. Dr. Mel White, co-founded Soulforce, Inc. with his partner Gary Nixon.] "I finally got to meet Rev. Jimmy Creech [Executive Director, Faith in America, Inc., founded in December 2005.] Jimmy has embarked on a new exciting venture DignityUSA may want to get involved with. Visit www.faithinamerica.info for details about this exciting media campaign."
McArron went on to say, "For me personally it was great to be at such a roundtable discussion once again and to converse with the likes of Christian de la Huerta and Cindy Love. It was refreshing to note that our very own Executive Director, Debra Weill, was not the only transgender at the table. Many of the issues we face within DignityUSA are shared by many others. We shall emerge the better for having worked together in our common cause."
Love Without Borders: Jerusalem WorldPride 2006
Jerusalem — the Holy City, the city the world looks towards from east
and west. With more than 5,000 years of
recorded history, the very name evokes vivid images of temples, mosques,
churches and the great city walls of honey-colored stone, even in those
who have not yet visited. For centuries, Jerusalem has been home to vibrant
and diverse communities with ancient traditions. They have contributed
to the city's unique atmosphere as a cultural crossroads and an inspiration
for faith.
WorldPride will be held in Jerusalem, August 6 to 12, 2006, including a WorldPride Multifaith Convocation August 8 to 9.
The 22nd annual conference of InterPride, held in October 2003 in Montreal, Canada, with over 150 delegates from 51 cities from around the world in attendance, voted to accept the bid of Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance to host WorldPride 2006 in the Holy City.
With your support, Love without Borders: Jerusalem WorldPride 2006 will bring a new focus to an ancient city through a massive demonstration of LGBT dignity, pride, and boundary-crossing celebration.
In these times of intolerance and suspicion, from the home of three of the world's great religions, event planners, participants and supporters will proclaim that love knows no borders.
The Power of WorldPride
WorldPride is a unique international opportunity to make a global statement, building upon decades of Pride events and the struggle of millions of individuals across the globe for self-fulfillment, for the possibility to be who they are and to follow their heart and their identity. It is through WorldPride that InterPride most effectively expresses the combined energy of its member organizations, responsible for Pride celebrations around the world that attract a combined attendance of between 15 and 20 million, from San Francisco to Montreal to Sydney to Berlin.
The WorldPride label befits a unique event at a special location with a statement that will echo far and wide. The first WorldPride, Rome 2000, was just that: it brought to the heart of Europe, and indeed to the Pope's doorstep, the message that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people are — and always have been — a vital part of humanity. Now it is time to build upon our message and to bring it to a new and even more challenging frontier. It is time to demonstrate to our community, to our neighbors and peers and indeed to the world, not only that we belong, but that our love and our pride can cross the harshest borders that divide people. Visit www.worldpride.net for all of the details.
Election of Candidates to National Board of Directors
Nominations for DignityUSA's National Board of Directors were closed on April 1, 2006.
Election ballots for candidates to the National Board of Directors will be mailed by the end of April 2006.
If DignityUSA members do not receive them by May 15, 2006, please contact the national office by phone at (800) 877-8797 or (202) 861-0017, by FAX (202) 429-9808, or by e-mail info@dignityusa.org.
Members are to vote for four (4) nominees to sit on the Board of Directors for a two (2) year period beginning October 1, 2006.
Every current regular member of DignityUSA whose start of membership is at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of balloting shall have the right to vote according to the rules established in the DignityUSA Bylaws.
All Chartered Chapters chartered at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of balloting shall have the right to vote, and shall receive two (2) ballots, according to the rules established in the national Bylaws.
Upon receipt of your ballots, please let your voice be heard. Return completed completed ballots to the national office:
DignityUSA - Ballot
1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite #8,
Washington, DC 20005-1805
or by fax to (202) 429-9808.
All ballots must be received by the close of business Friday, June 30, 2006. This will allow time for a voluntary and cooperative transitioning period.
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
- San Fernando Valley (CA) - 10 years
- Northern Virginia (VA) - 14 years
- * Madison (WI) - 29 years
- Dayton (OH) - 31 years
- Detroit (MI) - 32 years
- Philadelphia (PA) - 33 years
- Chicago (IL) - 34 years
- San Diego (CA) - 34 years
* A Dignity/Integrity Chapter
Announcements
Sister Jeannine Gramick will be leading a pilgrimage to Southern Spain and Gibraltar for friends and advocates of lesbian and gay Catholics, Nov. 2-10, 2006.
For further information, phone Jeannine Gramick at 301-864-3604 or e-mail gramick@juno.com.
The annual Feast of St. Mary of Magdala is July 22nd.
The feast is being celebrated by more faith communities, including DignityUSA chapters, each succeeding year.
To order a free Mary of Magdala brochure and prayer service, an organizing kit, or other resources, go to www.futurechurch.org or call 216-228-0869 x5, or e-mail magdala@futurechurch.org.
DignityUSA Past President Participates in Dignity/Honolulu 30th Anniversary
Pat McArron, DignityUSA Past President, spoke at the 30th Anniversary Celebration for Dignity/Honolulu the weekend of April 22 - 23, 2006.
Pat also delivered the homily during the celebratory liturgy.
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.