<p><span style=line-height:1.6em>By Emmanuel Romero Dignity/San Francisco Board Member</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>Dignity San Francisco kicked off the Lenten season by hosting a community screening of <em>Alfredo&#39;s Fire</em> on Sunday March 9. This short documentary tells the story of Alfredo </span>Ormando<span style=line-height:1.6em> a gay Italian writer who traveled from Palermo to St. Peter&#39;s Square where he set himself on fire on January 13 1998. The demonstration was an act of protest against the Roman Catholic Church&#39;s historic persecution against </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> people.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>As part of the screening Dignity San Francisco invited the Producer/Director/Cinematographer of the film Andy </span>Abrahams<span style=line-height:1.6em> Wilson who graciously appeared to introduce the movie and participate in a post-screening Q&amp;A. The lively exchange between Wilson and the audience which included guests from outside Dignity San Francisco touched upon issues surrounding the closet mental health spirituality versus religiosity for </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> people the </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> rights movement in Italy and beyond and other topics.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>&quot;It was a pleasure to screen <em>Alfredo&#39;s Fire</em> with such a captive audience as Dignity who cared about and could relate to Alfredo&#39;s struggles&quot; Wilson said. &quot;Had the support of such a group as Dignity been available to Alfredo it is likely he wouldn&#39;t have chosen the fate that he did. May his story be a reminder and a beacon of light for us all.&quot;</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>&quot;This documentary provided a real opportunity for us today to reflect on the spiritual dimensions of an act which stirred the minds and hearts of the Italian </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> community and the </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> community worldwide a number of years ago&quot; said Ed Malcolm co-chair of Dignity San Francisco. &quot;We cannot help but be touched by this human tragedy and the </span>documentarian<span style=line-height:1.6em> has helped us to see it in very personal way.&quot;</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>During the Q&amp;A when Wilson was asked what he as someone from a non-Catholic background thought of </span>Ormando&#39;s<span style=line-height:1.6em> story in the context of today&#39;s Church under Pope Francis he replied that he hopes </span>Ormando<span style=line-height:1.6em> will inspire compassion in all people regardless of whether they believe in equal rights for </span>LGBT<span style=line-height:1.6em> individuals. Wilson would also love it if Pope Francis were somehow able to watch <em>Alfredo&#39;s Fire</em>.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>Anyone interested in learning more about <em>Alfredo&#39;s Fire</em> and how they can view or screen it can contact the filmmakers at www.alfredosfire.com.</span></p>