News Archive (2013)

A Visit to Southern California's Di[g]n[it]yLand

I’m a lucky guy. My boss tells me to fly out to Southern California and pay visits to the four Dignity chapter communities there: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs. Their southwest coast perch can be isolating, and they are just too valued to be overlooked. So one morning I’m clambering over Minneapolis snowbanks to the airport and that afternoon I’m sitting in a small, beautiful ‘chapel’ in North Hollywood, CA

Be a Convention Sponsor!

Every two years DignityUSA members gather to celebrate our heritage, our past, and our future.  This year we come together as a family in Minneapolis; and we invite you to be part of the celebration by becoming a convention sponsor.  

We are seeking your support of our mission and ask you to consider donating towards our biennial national Convention, where over 300 Dignity members and allies will gather July 4-7, 2013 at the Minneapolis Hilton.

RIP: James R. Thompson

Jim ThompsonJames R. Thompson, age 84, passed away on Ash Wednesday, February 13. He was born in Detroit on July 31, 1928, son of Dorothy and AJ Thompson. Jim is survived by his sister, Mary Dziuba Eremia, his niece Nancy D. Schuler, his nephew John T. Dziuba, relatives in Canada, including cousin Ted Boake of British Columbia, and by Michael McCleer.

Dignity/Honolulu had an Active Start To 2013

Dignity/Honolulu has been quite busy during the first quarter of 2013. On January 21, the chapter joined PFLAG-Oahu on a Trolley, participating in the Martin Luther King Day Parade. Several other LGBT groups such as Pride at Work – Hawaii and the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party marched in the parade as well, honoring the work of Martin Luther King in furthering the cause of equal rights in America. Chapter members riding the trolley were Gene Corpuz, Jim Slatkavitz, Joan Hudson, Tim Earhart, and Charlie Hernandez. Dignity/Honolulu has participated in this annual parade since 1990.

Pass the Hotdish and Help Fund Convention-goers

The aromas of turkey shepherd’s pie, Minnesota wild rice hotdish, Bavarian noodle hotdish, corn casserole, “American chop suey,” Colombian short rib casserole, and other hearty one-dish meals mingled with the final notes of Dignity/Boston’s song of sending forth on Sunday, March 3. The tables were set for the community to dine together in the church hall. This was the evening of Dignity/Boston’s “Heavenly Hotdish Social” to support the chapter’s fund to support scholarships to the DignityUSA convention in Minneapolis, July 4-7. Funds will be used for travel expenses and convention registration fees to increase the participation of chapter membership at the convention.

Dignity/Washington Honors Saint Joseph with Grand Feast

The origin of Saint Joseph’s Day as an Italian festival is simple, yet a testimony to an ancient and abiding devotion. According to legend, there was a severe drought in Sicily around 1268 and the people prayed to St. Joseph, their patron saint, to bring them rain. They promised that they would prepare a large banquet to honor him, if he answered their prayers. The rain did come, and the Sicilians made good on their promise, continuing the festival ever since. The fava bean was the crop that saved the population from starvation and is a traditional part of St. Joseph's Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is also a St. Joseph's Day custom.

Chicago Gay Catholics React to Pope Francis

A number of Dignity/Chicago members are quoted in this article from the Windy City Times.

Local Gay Catholics react to Pope Francis
by Chuck Colbert, Keen News Service
2013-04-03

"Cautiously optimistic" and "toned-down rhetoric" are some overarching observations as local LGBT Catholics take measure of the new pontiff, Pope Francis, the former cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

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If Cardinal Dolan is Serious about Welcoming Gays

DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke and Fortunate Families Co-Founder Mary Ellen Lopata co-author the following op-ed, featured in the New York Times. The two groups collaborate on LGBT Catholic issues through Equally Blessed.

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An Open Letter to Cardinal Timothy Dolan from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics and Family Members

 

In media interviews given on Easter Sunday, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who also serves as President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that the Catholic Church should be more open to gay and lesbian people (bisexual and transgender people were not mentioned). He said "I love you, and God loves you." When pressed about what could be done to make lesbian and gay people more welcome, the Cardinal said he did not know. Below is DignityUSA's response.

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