DignityUSA’s Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the Chartering of Dignity/Baltimore, under the leadership of Al Risdorfer, a longtime member of Dignity/Washington and a priest with the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America. Dignity/Baltimore will be run in conjunction with the CACINA parish of Our Lady Undoer of Knots.

Al Risdorfer said: “We particularly seek out disinvited, disaffected and disenchanted Catholics, among whom are women seeking an equal voice in the Church including ministerial roles; those who are divorced and seeking the sacraments; married folks wanting ministerial roles; former clergy who want to minister again - and of course members of the LGBTQI community."

Join us in embracing our new Chapter and members! You can send a message of welcome to pastor@our-lady-undoer-of-knots.org.

On December 16th, the Global Interfaith Comission on LGBT+ Lives launched and debuted a declaration signed by over 350 religious leaders from around the world calling for an international ban on conversion therapy and other forms of violence against LGBTQI people.

DignityUSA signed the declaration alongside prominent religious leaders like Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We invite you to sign the declaration found here. More coverage of the coalition's launch can be found on CNN.

DignityUSA is committed to embracing diversity, equality, and inclusion for every member of our community. After several months of our own learning and discussion, the Board of Directors is excited to announce the formation of a new caucus for people of color (POC), as well as a resource group for those committed to the work of being anti-racist. 

Under the direction of Board Member Patrick Journet, all DignityUSA members who identify as a person of color are invited to engage in conversation and share their experiences. This will be a safe space to share and value your intersectionality as a person of color, LGBTQI/Ally, and Catholic. Patrick has found that “sharing has helped me as a POC in cultivating trust and acceptance. I believe a collective sum of different life experiences and self-expression has only enriched my life as a POC. I would like to invite all interested to this safe place to dialogue and share.”

In addition, an Antiracism Resource Group will be formed as a way for non-POC allies to join efforts to combat racism and unite with our members of color, as well as to encourage and support the purpose of the POC caucus to remain a safe space for its members. This resource group is meant for both non-POC allies, as well as members of the POC Caucus, to work together and will also feature education around how to be anti-racist, as opposed to simply being “not racist.”

Both groups are anticipated to begin meeting in January 2021. To join the POC caucus, please contact Patrick at patrickj@dignityusa.org. To join the Antiracism Resource Group, please contact Board Member Vin Testa at vint@dignityusa.org. 

The Advent season gives us the chance to dwell on the hope, peace, and joy that are at the heart of our communities and faith. This year, we're celebrating with an Advent Calendar featuring daily reflections to renew our spirits in a hectic season and difficult year. You can follow along all season on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Throughout this whole year, we've worked hard to give hope in our pursuit of justice. We've organized Catholics in opposition to transphobia in the Church, stood up to the Trump administration when they've attacked the vulnerable, and continued to provide spiritual care and affirming communities to LGBTQI Catholics and their families across the country even in the midst of the pandemic.

Our work depends on the support of friends and allies like you. Advent is one of our biggest fundraising times of the year, and we need your help to continue to the pursuit of justice and for all in 2021 and beyond. Make your Advent gift today.

The inaugural DignityUSA Leadership Academy, the virtual program equipping the next generation of LGBTQI justice leaders, has extended the deadline for applications to December 31st, 2020. The 8-month Academy coming Spring 2021 is open to DignityUSA members and will prepare participants for leadership in DignityUSA and beyond.

There's still time for you or someone you know to get involved! Learn more online and apply. The new application deadline is December 31st.