DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support.

Recent News

Breath of the Spirit Reflection: The Inevitability and Precarity of New Life

several pots with new plant buds emerging
A Reflection by Jeff Vomund for the Second Sunday of Easter | If we are not careful, Easter becomes a victory party for those of us to have made the “right” choice: Jesus’ victory lap to disprove the doubters (like Thomas). But the resurrection is not a prediction of what will be if we behave. It is a confirmation of what is, how the world was made from its inception in the Divine mind...

Dignity/Twin Cities Confronts Archbishop and Courage International Representatives in Protest

Twin Cities Protest of Courage International
"The flag was in the window for no more than five minutes when a security guard from the Archdiocese came out the back door and told me that the flag was distracting to the priests, and that I would have to move because we were on private property..." Read more of the testimony of Dignity/Twin Cities' current President Brian H. McNeill on their recent protest of Courage International.

Breath of the Spirit: The Easter Transition

A beautiful cherry blossom tree
A reflection by delfín bautista for Easter Sunday | The English prefix trans comes from the Latin where it indicates movement from one place to another, as in, transfer. The prefix can also indicate movement beyond a particular entity, thus, is an action is transnational, it goes beyond a single nation. In the Scriptures, the word transfiguration carries both of those meanings: Jesus moves from one state of being to another and also beyond what he was to a larger reality.

Stand with Nativity School and show support for LGBTQI+ and Black Lives! Sign the petition today.

Rainbow Flag with sign petition text
Nativity School of Worcester, MA, has been flying the Black Lives Matter and Pride banners along with the American Flag for over a year. However, on April 3, Bishop Robert McManus told the Jesuit school that these flags “deny our Catholic identity” and that they represent things “that stand in contract to consistent Catholic teaching.” Sign the petition and show your support for Nativity School!

Breath of the Spirit: Do We Want to Be Barrabas?

Activist holding "No Justice, No Peace" Sign
A reflections for Palm Sunday by John Falcone | Sometimes the choices between good and evil seem so stark. But clear choices are not necessarily easy. It is possible to see where different paths lead and still not be sure which way is better...

New Vatican document on education could lead to increased exclusion of LGBTQI people, says DignityUSA

Classroom with empty wooden desks, blank chalkboard
March 31, 2022. A newly released document from the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education could make it even more difficult for LGBTQI people to be part of the Catholic school system and could trigger a new wave of staff terminations and students being turned away. DignityUSA expressed its concerns after reviewing “The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue,” which was issued by the Vatican on March 29.

Illuminating history, searching for memories at Dignity/Philadelphia

LGBTQI+ Catholics have been at the forefront of justice movements since the beginning. There's no place where that history resonates more profoundly than in Philadelphia, the city of Sisterly and Brotherly Love. Philadelphia has served as a site of many historic events of great significance, but often the most interesting stories are the ones that have yet to be told.

Breath of the Spirit Reflection: The Key Ingredient to Lent

A reflection by Richard P. Young for the Fifth Sunday of Lent | This week’s passage from Isaiah dates from the 6th century BCE, and it refers to God’s action to get the people of Israel unstuck. Isaiah seems to understand “doing something new” as a particularly divine act. Perhaps that is because so much of what we humans have been doing over and over again shows our tribalism, our misogyny, and our fear of the Other – all traits laid bare in today’s gospel...

In-Person Event: 25th National Conference in San Diego

Registration for our 25th National Conference at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter hotel from July 8th through 10th in sunny San Diego, California, is now open! We have special Conference registration rates for first time attendees (including members and nonmembers) and young adults aged 18 to 30. Our Early Bird discount ends May 15th⁠—so register today! We hope to see you in July!

DignityUSA Board of Directors Nominations Due by April 1st!

Know someone who would be a perfect fit for our DignityUSA Board of Directors? Is that person YOU? There's still time to nominate yourself or another person! Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 1st.

Breath of the Spirit Reflection: The Hard Work of Hospitality

A reflection by Ann Marie Szpakowska for the Fourth Sunday of Lent | The Christian dictum to “See Christ in the Other,” has been so regularly and casually spoken to be in danger of becoming cliché – as if this deep way of seeing were easy or common. Jesus reminds us that such generous vision is not, in fact, easy to accomplish – especially when the Other has not acted with grace toward us. And yet, to recognize the good of the Other, to see them with compassion, and to consider how we might offer help is the essence of gospel hospitality...

Online Event: Dignity Young Adult Lenten Retreat

Join other LGBTQI/Ally young adults for an online Lenten experience on Sunday, April 24th to reflect on the Scriptures with author, activist and public theologian Brandan Robertson. This event is free and open to all aged 18 to 39.

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Upcoming Events

  • Dignity Young Adult Lenten Retreat 2022 (Online)

    Join other LGBTQI/Ally young adults for an online Lenten experience reflecting on the scriptures with author, activist and public theologian Brandan Robertson. This event is free and open to all aged 18 to 39. NEW DATE: April 24, 2022. More Info. Time listed is Eastern Time.
    April 24, 2022
    12:00pm

    Register For Retreat

  • 2022 DignityUSA Board Candidates Forum (Members Event)

    This is registration for our Candidates Forum, where our members can hear directly from those running for the DignityUSA Board of Directors! This forum event will take place on Zoom, May 15, from 2pm to 3pm ET.
    May 15, 2022
    2:00pm

    Register Here

  • 25th National Conference 2022 (In-Person)

    Join us from July 8-10 in San Diego for DignityUSA’s 25th national gathering. Be inspired by religious and social justice thought leaders and enjoy the warmth and welcome of the DignityUSA community as we celebrate our history and contemplate the role of our movement in an ever-changing world. Time listed is Pacific Time.
    July 8, 2022 to July 10, 2022
    9:00am

    Register Here

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Announcements are occasional updates about DignityUSA that we feel would be of interest to the community.

Dateline
The current Dateline dated April 20, 2022 is Dateline: Chicago's 50th Anniversary | Board Candidates Forum | Nativity Petition | Twin Cities Protest | Conference Ads Due

Visit the Dateline archive.

Dateline
The current Breath of the Spirit is Breath of the Spirit for April 20, 2022
Visit our Breath of the Spirit archive.

Statement of Position & Purpose

DignityUSA Logo Stacked

We believe that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex Catholics in our diversity are members of Christ's mystical body, numbered among the People of God. We have an inherent dignity because God created us, Christ died for us, and the Holy Spirit sanctified us in Baptism, making us temples of the Spirit, and channels through which God's love becomes visible. Because of this, it is our right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the Church, so that we might become more powerful instruments of God's love working among all people.

Vision Statement

DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender 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.