By Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA Executive Director 

Blessed Pride! What a year it has been! With the recent enactment of marriage equality in Rhode Island, Delaware, and Minnesota, it is estimated that one in five same-sex couples now live in places where they can be legally wed. We await decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court that could well overturn both California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal DOMA restrictions on same-sex couples. Equality is on the move, and Catholics continue to lead the march toward greater justice.

By Jim Smith, DignityUSA Program Manager

The Lutheran church near the Minnesota State Capitol was literally packed to the rafters on this night before a historic Senate debate and vote to potentially push marriage equality into law. A number of clergy and leaders from various faith traditions and denominations sat facing the crowd, each waiting their turn to stand and lead the crowd in this quickly prepared prayer vigil. One leader stood in the pulpit and introduced herself, saying simply, “I’m a member of Pax Christi Catholic Community, and I’m proud to be Catholic!” The crowd erupted in cheers. As the din subsided, she proclaimed a passage from the prophet Isaiah, and though the words were in front of her, she never took her eyes off the congregation. She spoke with authority, with an obvious understanding and belief in the words she voiced. She commanded everyone in the church that night, and for this participant at least, Joan and Isaiah were the highlight of the vigil.