What is DignityUSA?

DignityUSA is the oldest and largest nation­al lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics, our families, and our friends. Begun in 1969 in San Diego under the leadership of Fr. Patrick Nidorf, OSA, first as a counseling group and then a support group in Los Angeles, DignityUSA has been a national organization since 1973. As an independent not-for-profit group, it has chapters located throughout the United States.

In local chapters, we worship openly with other LGBT and supportive Catholics, socialize, share personal and spiritual concerns, and work together on educational and justice issues. Members gather at periodic regional meetings and biennial national conventions.

On a nationwide basis and through its local chapters, DignityUSA

• advocates for change in the Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality;
• provides educational materials, speakers, and other resources to Catholic parishes, gay ministries, and other interested groups;
• maintains ongoing dialogue with Catholic bishops and other Church leaders;
• represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics in the media;
• presents positive testimony from a Catholic perspective on civil rights legislation;
• publishes a quarterly journal and monthly newsletter;
• is a founding member of Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), a network of diverse groups seeking change within the Church;
• networks internationally with LGBT Catholic groups, assisting in the development of new groups in countries such as South Africa, Poland, and Colombia;
• supports an AIDS ministry;
• and offers many other services.