<p>by Lewis Speaks-Tanner Vice President DignityUSA</p> <p>Each year December seems to go quicker than it did the year before. There are so many things to get done. The season is about preparing from making gift lists to decorating the house to making donations to favorite charities. It is important to take time out of the busy season to recharge spiritual batteries. This Advent I will be reading <em>Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace</em> by Ann Lamott after hearing wonderful reviews about her previous and current books.</p> <p>Each Advent I am reminded of <em>The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About the Jesus&rsquo;s Birth</em> by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. In it the authors make a point that the Christmas stories &ldquo;proclaim God&rsquo;s peace through justice over against Rome&rsquo;s peace through victory&rdquo;. Throughout these 45 years DignityUSA members continue to work for justice. We have had many advances and many disappointments over the years. The work continues.</p> <p>Marriage equality is now in 35 states and the District of Columbia with 64% of the US population living in states where same sex couples can marry. Fifteen more states to go! The momentum is on the side of justice.</p> <p>Even with this major advance there are only 18 states and D.C. that prohibit discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity (an additional 3 states prohibit discrimination against sexual orientation only). Twenty-nine states do give LGBT employees and citizens statewide protection against discrimination. Believe it or not as early as 1974 there has been an Employment Non-Discrimination bill introduced in Congress. With the new Republican majorities in both houses of Congress it does not appear hopeful that ENDA will pass. Without these protections LGBT people can be fired from their jobs or denied promotions.</p> <p>The omission of women at the highest levels of our Church continues to be a huge problem for many Catholics. It is an injustice. Thankfully there are more voices speaking out not just for Catholic women but all women!</p> <p>As the Extraordinary Synod of the Family concluded in Rome DignityUSA and other members of Women-Church Convergence a coalition of feminist Catholic groups gathered for its annual meeting and issued the statement <a href=http://www.womensordination.org/2014/10/23/catholic-women-our-absence-means-synod-lacks-credibility/>Catholic Women: Our Absence Means Synod Lacks Credibility</a></p> <blockquote> <p>&ldquo;The egregious omission of women and families in forming Church policy has a devastating impact on Catholics and others worldwide. Instead of an obsession with doctrine families need the Church to dismantle systems of oppression work to end violence against women and children stand firmly against war and the destruction of our planet recognize women&rsquo;s moral agency and honor decisions about family life made with informed consciences and prayerful discernment&hellip;&rdquo;</p> </blockquote> <p>President Carter in his latest book <em>A Call to Action: Women Religion Violence and Power</em> decries the religious discrimination against women. The misinterpretation of the Bible and the Quran have led to the violence of women and lack of equal opportunities for women.</p> <p>Sponsored by the United Nations Secretary-General from November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10 Human Rights Day the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. For more information go to http://endviolence.un.org/about.shtml.</p> <p>There is much work to be done. My prayer for Advent is that we have a prayerful productive and stress-less Advent! May our Christmas be blessed as we continue to proclaim God&rsquo;s peace through justice!</p> <p>Merry Christmas to one and all!</p>