<p>By Lewis Speaks-Tanner DignityUSA President</p> <p>As 2015 winds down and we prepare to celebrate Christmas it is a time for us to look back at the year. These are a few of the many DignityUSA successes this past year:</p> <ul> <li> Represented the U.S. Church reform movement at the International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC) gathering in Vienna Austria and ensured that LGBTI issues were a priority in the IMWAC letter to the worlds bishops on the Synod on the Family</li> <li> Consulted with the U.S. Department of State and the White House about how to advance LGBTI human rights in the face of Vatican or bishops objections</li> <li> Was an opinion-shaping voice in traditional and social media across the U.S. and internationally with DignityUSA and chapter leaders featured in over 700 articles television interviews and radio programs</li> <li> Challenged San Francisco Archbishop Cordileone on his comments about transgender people and his efforts to impose draconian morality clauses on diocesan Catholic school teachers</li> <li> Co-sponsored the first ever national gathering for employees of Catholic institutions the majority of attendees being LGBTI people or allies</li> <li> Energized the national Convention in Seattle with exceptional speakers including Sr. Simone Campbell in her first address to an LGBTI organization and attended special gatherings for women and young adults</li> <li> Several members were invited to the White House as guests of the President to witness Pope Francis historic welcome to the United States.</li> <li> As part of the Equally Blessed coalition we sponsored a dozen families as pilgrims to the World Meeting of Families to represent all of us as they witnessed to the fact that LGBTI people are blessed members of our Church.</li> <li> Sent two representatives to participate in the inaugural meeting of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics in Rome. We were able to fund that trip because of YOUR generosity.</li> </ul> <p>We thank you for your generosity -- from volunteering time using technical and professional skills and providing financial support. With your continued support and prayers we look forward to seeing many more successes in 2016!</p> <p>On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff I wish you a joyous Christmas and blessed New Year!&nbsp;</p>