Monthly News Bulletin Volume 19, No. 8 August 2010

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

Contents: Current Reflections on DignityUSA • Current Reflections on DignityUSA – 1 By Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues, Vice-President, DignityUSA • DignityUSA Magdala Campaign Update – 3 “Let the needs of the world and not the failings of the institutional church set our • United ENDA Launches New agenda in the years to come.” Mary Hunt, July 2009. Campaign – 3 • Summary of the July 9-11, 2010, National Board of Directors Meeting – 4 It has been a little over a year since Mary Hunt spoke those words at our Conven- • Greg Potosnak Departs; Search on for tion 2009 in San Francisco. Her statement shook many of us to the core as we looked New DignityUSA Treasurer – 5 forward with a vision of DignityUSA that no longer spent its time fighting against but • Vatican Miscategorizes Women’s Rights Advocates with Child Abusers – 5 rather fighting for. • Online Auction Rescheduled – 7 • National Board Elections – 7 When I first came to Dignity in 1978, like so many others, I was looking for a safe • Events Calendar – 7 place—a home where we could worship without feeling condemned or attacked. In • DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus Pride Flyer – 8 those days, walking into a Dignity chapter was an act of courage, another step in com- • Dignity/San Antonio Chapter News – 9 ing out at a time when so much in our lives happened in secret and darkness. Inside the • Dignity/ Chapter News – 9 confines of the Dignity space we could find comfort, others like us, and a loving God. • SAVE THE DATE – September 18, We bonded over Cardinal Ratzinger’s Halloween letter, the death from AIDS of so 2010, 8:00 p.m. EDT – 10 • Catholic GLBT Ministry Survey – 11 many brothers, and marched with banners at . We created community. • Faithful Prophets: God Alive in Every Generation – 13 In the late 70’s and 80’s our chapters grew. Hundreds of men and some women • A Fortunate Families Gathering – 13 signed a membership card and paid dues to DignityUSA with pride and commitment. As my spouse Diane says: “I have worn my membership in Dignity like a badge of pride, and I will never give it up.” Many of you reading this know exactly what she means. Diane has been with Dignity longer than I—she was honored at the last conven- tion as one of the 40 longest standing members of DignityUSA.

Those were the times when DignityUSA as a national movement believed that our mission was to change the Church and that the Roman Catholic bishops, in time and with our help, would see the wrong in their laws and dogmas and come to embrace us and welcome us in. Being gay or lesbian Catholics was our common denominator. Our Dignity mission at the chapter and national levels was the glue that kept us together and gave purpose and vibrancy to each of the dozens of Dignity chapters across the nation.

Times have changed quite a bit since then—not only in DignityUSA, but also in society and the larger Church. Now, Dignity at the local and national levels is not the only place where Roman Catholic GLBT people go to find connection and safety. Many social, political, and religious organizations exist now. Civil laws protect us and allies embrace us. Many have exchanged spirituality for political action. Many others have abandoned their need to belong to a Church which condemns and rejects. Our chapters are smaller now. Members have drifted away from DignityUSA and its chap- ters as a way to reject the official Church for its continuous sin of abuse and neglect of the people of God. Many have said: “I am done,” and have walked away. Who can blame them?

Continued on page 2 Dateline August 2010 - 2 -

Current Reflections on DignityUSA Continued from page 1 DignityUSA Board of Directors In these times some would question the relevancy of DignityUSA. Yet, it is pre- Executive Committee cisely at this time that the Spirit has blessed us with many gifts. Mark Matson – President Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues – Vice • We have raised more money in the last 3 years than many thought possible. President • Our Executive Director has secured grants for us to further our mission and visi- Lewis Tanner – Secretary bility beyond our own borders. POSITION OPEN – Treasurer • Dignity faith communities have developed new models of presidership and dis- cipleship, thus creating true Gospel living communities. At-Large Board Members • Our work with other progressive Catholic communities has expanded. Mark Clark Gene Corpuz • Our visibility in the media talking about GLBT civil rights in the light of our Leo Egashira Gospel values has been heard across the land. Alice Knowles Honour Maddock DignityUSA is relevant and alive. Changes that we make and live in are exactly Terry Mischel the opportunity we must embrace in order to heed Mary Hunt’s words of challenge and Linda Pieczynski encouragement to us. The common denominator that holds us can no longer be the Ramon Rodriguez personal spirituality of Roman Catholic GLBT persons. Our common denominator Tom Streeper now is the Gospel message of justice and truth. Tom Yates We must embrace this opportunity and grow in ways that enable us as individual National Office communities of faith and as a national movement to seek and create a just church—not DignityUSA only for us, but also for all the faithful who for whatever reason find themselves in the PO Box 376 margins and rejected by the church hierarchy. This calling is not an easy one. Not Medford, MA 02155-0004 only does it necessitate resources of time, talent, and treasure (a lot of it!), but it is work Voice: 202-861-0017 or that takes time, prayer, and discernment. Being in the forefront with our truth—with 800-877-8797 no apologies, and constantly claiming our place at the table and in the kindom—is the Fax: 781-397-0584 work of Pentecost. Filled with the Spirit, we carry on the mission. Website: www.dignityusa.org E-mail: [email protected] I am honored and proud to be a member of DignityUSA and its Board of Directors Staff at this time in our history. We have begun this work in partnership with other groups Marianne Duddy-Burke – whose mission is akin to ours. Executive Director • We have spoken in support of our civil right to marry and have invited many [email protected] couples to be married within our Dignity communities. Voice: 617-669-7810 • We sign press releases supporting the ordination of women and the dignity of our women religious. Peggy Burns – Operations Mgr • We speak in condemnation of a Church that would not distribute condoms in [email protected] Africa but will hide the pedophile priest. Dateline & QV: Quarterly Voice • We support gay and lesbian parents whose children are refused admission to, or Publications Team are dismissed from, Catholic schools, and Catholic workers who lose their job for Leo Egashira – Publications speaking out in support of Church reform. Committee Chair • We invite women and married priests and their families to join us in community [email protected] and preside in our chapters. • We reach out to parents of GLBT persons and to straight allies seeking for a dif- Bill Welch – Editor ferent way to be church. [email protected] Peggy Burns – Proofreader This work is what makes DignityUSA relevant in 2010 and beyond. Regardless of Paul Keaveney – Proofreader whether we do this through traditional chapters and membership, alternative commun- ities of faith, or individuals who are members of DignityUSA at large only; and/or by Publication Archives using technology and creating virtual communities and discussion groups to reach out to so many through Facebook and Twitter, the vision and the mission of DignityUSA Archived issues of Dateline are at remain alive—centered in the Gospel and supported by the gifts of the Spirit. http://www.dignityusa.org/dateline Join us. The needs for justice and truth in our world cannot wait. DignityUSA is a not-for-profit religious corporation organized Paz siempre. under U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c)(3). Dateline August 2010 - 3 - DignityUSA Magdala Campaign Update By Ramon Rodriguez, Director, DignityUSA

The DignityUSA Board of Directors is pleased to announce it launched the Magdala Campaign in July 2010 to celebrate the charisma of women and their contributions to the Church. The project is part of DignityUSA’s ongoing advocacy and support of women in the Church and society.

Magdala Campaign objectives: • “Enlarge the tent” by inviting more women to Dignity- USA • Strengthen our advocacy by addressing sexism as a driv- er and enabler of homophobia • Inspire local chapters to embrace the full inclusion of women in their chapter ministry.

Magdala Campaign implementation: • Create a DignityUSA Women’s Leadership Fund — a special fund to support both professional development and Ramon Rodriguez, Director and Marketing Committee Chair, leadership initiatives for women of all vocations. holds DignityUSA's display ad in National Catholic Reporter • Advertise in various publications and make contact with various organizations to solicit funds to support the Dignity- USA Women’s Leadership Fund. The fundraising campaign commenced in July 2010 and will continue into 2011. • The creation of this fund was announced in a half-page United ENDA Launches New Campaign display ad on page 5a of the July 9, 2010, edition of the Nation- al Catholic Reporter which directed readers to the DignityUSA What has the power to change hearts, minds and even website to make their contributions. laws? The impact of a human story. Real experiences help ◦ The wording of the ad included: “I hear my calling people understand who we are and why it is so important to end with Dignity. At DignityUSA, we believe that Women are also the discrimination we face. Personal stories have been very called to lead the Church. Donate to the DignityUSA Women’s central to meetings with lawmakers about the need to pass the Leadership Fund, and help us make the Church a place where Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Women are empowered to lead.” • Continue to advertise the Fund in various publications The United ENDA coalition—where the National Center and media outlets, including Facebook and Google, and make for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has been a consistent leader contact with various organizations to raise funds for the Digni- and active member—has launched a new campaign to compile tyUSA Women’s Leadership Fund. even more stories of discrimination in the workplace faced by • Continue promoting the work of key women leaders in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. If you important LGBT and progressive Catholic publications. have been discriminated against at work, please fill out the brief • Continue education efforts to raise consciousness on how questionnaire found at http://www.transequality.org/ and tell misogyny, kyriarchy, and discriminatory tradition impede prog- about your experiences. Please pass it along to your friends and ress. encourage others to fill it out. The more stories collected, the • Announce, celebrate, and showcase Magdala celebra- more compelling a case can be made. tions by DignityUSA local chapters. • Promote a gender-inclusive model of Church leadership. If you complete the questionnaire and you give your per- mission, you may be contacted for more details about your ex- If you have any questions, or would like to get involved in periences. In some cases, NCTE may be able to provide some this program, please contact Ramon Rodriguez at 312-371- resources or referrals to address the discrimination. No infor- 9226, or by e-mail [email protected]. Please in- mation will be released publicly without your permission; you clude the words “Magdala Campaign” in the subject header. can remain anonymous if you need to.

Help strengthen the collective efforts to pass ENDA; let your story be heard.

Please complete the questionnaire today and pass it along! Dateline August 2010 - 4 -

Summary of the July 9-11, 2010, who did not renew during the last couple of years. To date, we have been delighted to welcome five people back. National Board of Directors Meeting The Magdala Media Campaign launched just before the DignityUSA’s National Board of Directors met July 9-11, Board meeting with ads in the National Catholic Reporter and 2010, at the Embassy Suites Columbus-Airport, Columbus, on the Internet at Facebook and Google. Ohio. Logan Bear, DignityUSA’s Webminister and Director of Dignity/Columbus President Doug Cluxton welcomed the Information Technology, gave an overview on possibilities of Board to Columbus. Mark Matson, DignityUSA President, is a using technology within the organization. Several chapters’ member of that chapter and faith community. websites are now being hosted by DignityUSA. There will be some new capabilities on our website in the near future. Mark Matson led the Financial Report discussion. Greg Potosnak resigned as treasurer as of June 6, 2010. The search The Board continued its conversation on what DignityUSA has begun to find a new treasurer. There will be an article in will look like in the future. There are many factors to consider the August 2010 Dateline. [See page 5 this issue.] including membership, financial support for the organization and chapters/affiliates, and national members. DignityUSA The Fundraising Committee is pursuing a nationwide fund- was fortunate to have received a grant to conduct four online raising event on September 18, 2010, that will link each event focus groups. The participants connected DignityUSA with location via web-conferencing. advocacy rather than its pastoral ministry.

The Elections Committee Report was accepted. The re- More than fifteen members of the Living Beatitudes, a sults of the election to the National Board of Directors were ministry of Dignity/Dayton, came to the meeting in Columbus, revealed: Leo Egashira, Honour Maddock, Laura Monroe and Ohio to discuss their community and how it has evolved. Victor Postemski were elected. Those elected officially begin their two-year terms on October 1, 2010. The committee report- At the end of its business on Saturday, July 10th, the Board ed that in this first election using electronic voting a major por- enjoyed drinks and dinner with members of the Dignity/Colum- tion of the ballots returned were electronic votes, and that using bus and Dignity/Dayton communities at a local Columbus res- electronic voting for those members with active email accounts taurant. Many of the Board members had ice cream at a well saved DignityUSA nearly $5,000 in printing and postage costs. known ice cream parlor.

The Board appointed Mark Clark and Tom Yates as national directors for two-year terms that begin on October 1, 2010.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, is working on several proposals to charitable organizations for grants, includ- ing a significant proposal for coalition building and media ex- pansion that involves other LGBT and progressive Catholic organizations. The most recent media campaigns have dealt with the firing of Toni Talarico, a Catholic teacher in Colorado, and remarks in the Boston Pilot. Unbelievably, church work- ers do not have the basic worker rights that most people enjoy. Marianne anticipates DignityUSA working on marriage equali- ty for the next two years in coalition with several organizations Some folks at the group dinner in California.

Mark Clark looked for Board feedback when he presented the 2011 Convention Committee Report.

The National Convention Committee is down to three hotel proposals for the 2013 Convention in Minneapolis. The host hotel will be determined by October 2010.

Having been able to join the Board in Columbus, Peggy Burns, Operations Manager, updated the Board on how the office was running. She reported on a special campaign she envisioned and conducted to reach out to long-time members Dateline August 2010 - 5 -

Greg Potosnak Departs; Search on for Vatican Miscategorizes Women’s Rights New DignityUSA Treasurer Advocates with Child Abusers By Mark Matson, President and Lewis Tanner, Secretary June 16, 2010. Twenty-seven Catholic organizations from around the globe issue statement denouncing the With reluctance, Mark Matson, President, Lourdes Rodri- oppression of women and the inadequate response to guez-Nogues, Vice President, and Lewis Tanner, Secretary, child sex crimes officers of DignityUSA, accepted the resignation of fellow offi- cer Greg Potosnak from the position of treasurer effective June Yesterday, the Vatican issued a clarification of its canoni- 6, 2010. Greg cited personal pressures as his reason for depar- cal procedures for how dioceses should handle priests who sex- ture. ually abuse children. As part of the statement, they have added that the “attempted ordination of a woman” has now been add- Greg, of Dignity/New York, joined DignityUSA’s Board ed to the list of “delicta graviora,” or most serious crimes in of Directors October 1, 2009, after Chris Lawrence of church law, alongside the sexual abuse of minors. Dignity/Boston completed his term as treasurer. DignityUSA is very grateful for his almost three years of service to the Twenty-seven Catholic organizations issued the following organization in a leadership role which included being a mem- joint statement in response: ber of the DignityUSA Fundraising Committee prior to serving as treasurer. We, the undersigned, express our solidarity with In addition to the demanding job of treasurer, Greg made Catholics who continue to seek equality, includ- arrangements with a New Jersey company to undertake the ing those who practice feminist ministries and overhaul and replacement of our aging database system at a those who are ordained. We know these women fraction of the actual cost. This project took almost 9 months and men to be firm in their faith and courageous and eliminated a multitude of operational problems and posi- in their work as they seek an inclusive and tioned us well for the future. Greg also completed steps that accountable church, undeterred by threats of have given the officers and staff on-line access to banking excommunication or other canonical penalties. In account records — greatly simplifying transactions while also addition, we stand with our brother priests and improving checks and balances. bishops who are also being threatened by this new policy for their support of women’s equality DignityUSA is seeking an individual with an accounting or in the church. Furthermore, we take great of- financial management background to fill this very important fense that good faith struggles for gender equali- post. The position is currently open and the need is urgent. ty could be misunderstood as a sacrilege and Greg’s replacement will serve the balance of his term to Sep- placed on par with the sexual abuse of children. tember 30, 2011, and may be re-appointed to a full two-year In 1976, the Vatican’s own Pontifical Biblical term by the incoming president and vice-president as of Octo- Commission concluded there is no valid scriptur- ber 1, 2011, with the ratification by the National Board of al reason for denying ordination to women. Directors. Therefore, we welcome such efforts to expand the scope and variety of ministry and we cele- The treasurer uses QuickBooks computer software to brate women's faithfulness despite huge institut- review our organization’s monthly financial transactions and ional obstacles. update financial statements. The position helps ensure account- We are gravely disappointed that the Vatican ability to the membership and provides checks and balances to would largely repackage its sexual abuse policy protect the financial security and viability of the organization. norms from 2001 in yesterday’s re-issued state- The treasurer consults with the DignityUSA Finance Commit- ment without adding many meaningful changes tee for any needed assistance. Accounts are current and in to canonical procedures on how to handle the good shape. Dignity passed its recent financial audit with no sexual crimes of its religious leaders. We stand citations. To inquire further, please contact Lewis Tanner, with survivors in calling for the release of the Secretary, at [email protected]. names of all credibly accused Catholic religious leaders and for the Vatican’s immediate adoption and implementation of global child protection policies. Nothing less is adequate to the crying needs of a community torn asunder by its own leaders’ crimes. Continued on page 6 Dateline August 2010 - 6 -

Vatican Miscategorizes Women’s Rights Advocates with Child Abusers Interreligious Convention of European Women Theologians Continued from page 5 Lee Wax, Coordinator 0044-208 884 0476 www.iketh.eu Catholic Organization Signatories Kerk Hardop, Netherlands Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC), Marleen Wijdeveld, President USA Isaac Wüst, Editor-in-Chief Patrick B. Edgar, D.P.A., M.Div., President 0031-20-441.3339 www.rk-kerkplein.org [email protected] National Coalition of American Nuns, USA BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Christ), Ireland. Contact: Donna Quinn Contact: Una Ruddock www.ncan.us +353 1 621 6816 www.basic.ie Noi Siamo Chiesa (Italian Section of IMWAC), Italy DignityUSA Contact: Vittorio Bellavite Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, [email protected] 617-669-7810 www.DignityUSA.org Nous sommes Aussi l'Eglise, France Call To Action, USA Lucienne Gouguenhem, Vice-President Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director 33 1 45 88 04 92 www.nsae.fr 773.404.0004 www.cta-usa.org Pax Christi Maine, USA Catholics for Choice-Canada Bill Slavick, Coordinator Rosemary Ganley, Coordinator 207-773-6562 paxchristimaine.org www.catholicsforchoice.ca RAPPORT, USA Catholic Coalition for Church Reform, USA Contact: Gloria Ulterino Paula Ruddy, Bernie Rodel, Michael Bayly, Co-chairs (612) 379-1043 www.cccrmn.org Roman Catholic Faith Community Council of the Federation of Christian Ministries Catholic Network for Women’s Equality, Canada William J. Manseau, Evelyn Hunt, and Thomas Quinn, Co-Chairs Paula MacQuarrie, Coordinator 603-886-7158 www.federationofchristianministries.org www.cnwe.org Roman Catholic Women Priests, Europe-West. CORPUS, USA I. Riedl, Coordinator Contact: William Manseau tel. 0049-089 845 830 romancatholicwomenpriests.org www.corpus.org Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA, Inc Corriente Somos Iglesia, Spain Contact: Alice Iaquinta Raquel Mallavibarrena, Coordinator 414-791-9952 [email protected] +34 649332654 www.somosiglesia.net Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER), Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir, Mexico USA Maria Consuelo Mejia, Director Mary E. Hunt and Diann L. Neu, Co-directors +5255 5658 1163 www.catolicasmexico.org Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual 301 589-2509 www.hers.com/water Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir, Spain Mar Grandal, President Women’s Ordination Conference, USA 352 88946 Erin Saiz Hanna, Executive Director 202-675-1006 www.womensordination.org 8th Day Center for Justice - Women’s Group, USA www.8thdaycenter.org WomenPriests.Org, International Therese Koturbash, Coordinator Femmes et Hommes en Eglise/Genre en Christianisme, France +44 (0)1923 779 446 Danielle Penuel-Monneron, President (0)2 33 90 78 10 www.fhe.assoc.fr

Institute for and Religion, Ireland. Mary Condren, Th.D., Director Tel: 001-353-1-4624504 www.instituteforfeminismandreligion.org Dateline August 2010 - 7 -

Online Auction Rescheduled If you have a new email address or wish to vote electroni- cally in next year’s elections, contact the national office By DignityUSA Fundraising Committee [email protected]. Your email address needs to be attached to your membership record. What to do with all that great art work you have but no place to display it? Or that crystal bowl Aunt Sarah gave you At its July 2010 Board of Directors meeting, Mark Clark that doesn’t match any of your modern decor? Or how about and Tom Yates, both of Dignity/Washington (DC), were ap- that timeshare you bought ten years ago and you just don’t pointed to a two year term beginning October 1, 2010. want to schlep there anymore?

We have solutions for these and many other items you no longer use. Donate them to DignityUSA’s pre-Christmas December 2010 online auction, rescheduled from summer Events Calendar 2010. You will share those treasures with someone else, get a tax deduction, and help DignityUSA raise some cash. What a great way to do re-gifting! “A Celebration of Faith and Service,” DignityUSA video-conference and fundraising event to sup- Perhaps you have some holiday treasure, pleasure, or travel port DignityUSA’s advocacy work. Saturday, Sep getaway to donate. 18, 2010, 8:00 p.m. EDT. See article on page 10 of this issue. The effort on your part is minimal. Just let Jack Frielings- dorf know what the item is (a picture would be great), the val- “Spirituality on the Margins,” a New Ways Minis- ue, and a short description. Contact Jack at [email protected] try retreat near Philadephia, PA, Oct. 8-10, 2010, or 973-239-3963. If and when the item sells, he will contact for all interested in GLBT issues . Contact Frank you with the winner’s name and give you instructions on how DeBernardo, [email protected] or and where to send it. It won’t cost you anything to ship as the 301-864-3604. buyer will cover those costs. “Developing Catholic Lesbian/Gay Ministry,” a The auction will be held early December 2010. Therefore, New Ways Ministry workshop near Providence, we need to hear from you soon in order that your treasures can RI, Oct. 29-31, 2010. Contact Frank DeBernardo, be included. [email protected] or 301-864-3604. Spiritual Treasures of Northern Italy, GLBT More details on the auction will follow in subsequent “ ” issues of Dateline and news alerts. friendly Pilgrimage, March 20-27, 2011. Contact Sister Jeannine Gramick at 301-864-3604 or [email protected]. Visit http://www.pilgrimages.com/gramick/. National Board Elections

DignityUSA members and chapters recently elected four candidates to serve on the National Board of Directors for a period of two years effective October 1, 2010.

The four elected directors are:

Leo Egashira, Dignity/Seattle Honour Maddock, Dignity/Suffolk (Long Island NY) Laura Monroe, Dignity/Houston Victor Postemski, Dignity/Boston

This was DignityUSA’s first electronic voting. It was ex- tremely popular with more people voting in this year’s election than those casting ballots last year. We were able to send elec- tronic ballots to over two thirds of our members. Those who did not have an email address and couples who shared a single email addressreceived paper ballots. By utilizing electronic means, members saved almost $5,000 in printing and postage costs. DignityUSA can use these savings for other purposes. Dateline August 2010 - 8 - DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus Pride Flyer By Lauren Carpenter, President, DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus

This is a rerun for those celebrating Pride in August 2010.

The DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus (DYAC) is asking for your help this year at Pride festivals and celebrations. We have created a simple flyer to tell people about DYAC and we are asking all chapters and others representing DignityUSA at local Pride events to please print out a few copies of the flyer to distribute to any young adults who come by your booth or information table at the event, or for your Pride cel- ebration and liturgy. We are hoping that it will draw more people into our national on- line community, and act as a conversation starter for chapters looking to attract younger members. We thank you in advance for your help and hope you have a fabu- lous time at Pride this year!

You can download a copy of the flyer in either PowerPoint format (.ppt) or Adobe pdf (.pdf) for printing from DignityUSA’s website at http://www.dignityusa.org/content/dignityusa-young-adult-caucus-flyers-pride.

Ÿ Learn more about us at http://www.dignityusa.org/content/help-us-begin-our- ministry-young-adults Ÿ Send a message to the Young Adult Caucus via the contact sheet at http://www.dignityusa.org/contact/Young_Adult_Caucus Ÿ DignityUSA Young Adult Caucus is on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=373146241027 .

Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:

San Antonio (TX) - 34 years Denver (CO) - 36 years Metro New Jersey - 36 years

Reduced-size replica of flyer Dateline August 2010 - 9 -

Our homilist, Mercy Sister Theresa Kane, was one of our Chapter News co-presiders. She is still remembered by many for making his- tory in 1979 when, as the president of the Leadership Confer- Dignity/San Antonio ence of Women Religious, she greeted Pope John Paul II at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. with a request to open all of the ministries of the Roman Catholic Church to women. She Pridefest 2010 San Antonio was held on a hot summer day. has since been referred to as the “most identifiable advocate of Despite the warm temperature, Dignity/San Antonio members women’s ordination” by the National Catholic Reporter. She kept cool under some nice shaded trees at HemisFair Park, on has continued to address Catholic hot-button issues ever since, Saturday, June 12, 2010. most recently criticizing the Vatican's investigation into Ameri- can communities of nuns – officially known as the apostolic There was a great turnout at the chapter’s information table visitation of institutes of women religious – calling it a “veiled with 15 or so people signing in with their names and email ad- effort to turn back the clock on religious life” and “spiritual dress, not to mention the folks that came by and asked about violence.” being gay and Catholic. Deb Meyers, never at a loss for words, addressed the question and said that “It is okay to be gay and In her homily, Sister Theresa opened the Word for us as Catholic. We have a place to gather on Sundays to profess our she related the concepts of prophecy, equality, and friendship to Christian faith and beliefs.” Many women of the Hispanic our overall theme. In particular, she reminded us that prophecy community come to the table and asked questions about the often unfolds over long periods of time, and that throughout the chapter and DignityUSA. It’s nice to see members of the local nearly forty-year history of Dignity/New York, we have been GLBT community who are looking for a place to worship and faithful to our prophetic mission, along with our brothers and practice their Catholic beliefs. sisters throughout DignityUSA. Several chapter members were present throughout the day Before the (NYC) Pride March began, we to help out; all enjoyed the event and made time to do some spent thirty minutes in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Wit- dancing at some of our local bars later that evening. ness. We have done this each year since the early 1970s. How- ever, the police attempted to stop it in the early 1980s, allegedly to avoid confrontations with counter-demonstrators who were also present at the Cathedral. With the help of sympathetic at- Dignity/New York torneys, the chapter and many individual members brought suit against the mayor and police commissioner of New York City. Dignity/New York Celebrates Pride and the The suit was resolved in our favor in 1985 in U.S. District 25th Anniversary of the Court Decision Allowing Court by Judge Constance Baker Motley, renowned for her Witness at St. Patrick’s Cathedral long and distinguished career and for her stances on numerous By Patricia Russell and Jeff Stone, Dignity/New York civil rights issues. The chapter takes great pride in exercising this legal right and element of prophetic witness each year. Dignity/New York celebrated “The Priesthood of All Believers” at our Pride liturgy on June 26, 2010, with homilist Sister Theresa Kane, RSM, a leading advocate for women’s ordination.

In its annual Witness at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on June 27, the chapter marked the 25th anniversary of a federal court deci- sion, ratified by the U.S. Supreme Court, that allows us to stand directly in front of the Cathedral at the beginning of the Pride March. With the March route shortened for cost-saving reasons by the city, we made it down to Greenwich Vil- lage in record time – just one of many refreshing changes in this year’s celebrations.

We celebrated our Pride liturgy this year at our regular home, St. John’s in the Village Episcopal Church. Over 120 people were presented at the door with beautiful, custom-made rainbow stoles and welcomed with the proclamation, “We are celebrating the Priesthood of All Believers.” In keeping with this theme, there were eight co-presiders, both lay and officially Gathered in Witness at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City ordained, who were equally divided between women and men. To maintain liturgical focus, we used an inclusive format devel- Continued on page 10 oped and used successfully by Dignity/Boston. Dateline August 2010 - 10 -

Dignity/New York Chapter News Continued from page 9 SAVE THE DATE – September 18, 2010, 8:00 p.m. EDT This year, since the March started below the Cathedral be- DignityUSA’s First National Video Confer- cause of the shortened route, our Witness was particularly visi- ence: “A Celebration of Faith and Service” ble to ordinary people, including Catholics and tourists from all over the world. We spent most of our time at St. Patrick’s talk- By Martin Grochala, DignityUSA Fundraising Committee ing with them and answering questions. Several were same-sex On Saturday, September 18, 2010, DignityUSA Chapters couples, many had LGBT relatives, and virtually all were sup- and Members are invited to participate in a national fundraising portive. event titled “A Celebration of Faith and Service.” The heart of the event will be DignityUSA’s first national video conference The NYC Pride March kicked off at noon from Fifth Ave- featuring Board President Mark Matson, Executive Director nue and 36th Street. We had a wonderful trolley and one of the Marianne Duddy-Burke, and a special guest speaker. The top- largest Pride flags in the parade, which was presented to us sev- ic of the video conference will be Catholic support of ENDA eral years ago by Gilbert Baker, the originator of the rainbow (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), which is currently in flag as a symbol of the LGBT community. Our T-shirts, de- committee in the U. S. House of Representatives (H.R. 3017) signed by Ted Appel, graphically proclaimed “God Made Us and U.S. Senate (S. 1584). Equal” on the front and the Pride theme of “Liberty and Justice for All” on the back. Chapters and individual members are invited to participate by hosting a party, a potluck, or other gathering and asking their guests to make a gift in support of Dignity’s work on both the local and national level. The events will be scheduled around the video conference which will begin at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Information about how to join the video conference and which chapters are participating will follow in other communi- cations and appear in the September 2010 Dateline.

ENDA includes national employment protections for LGBT individuals. As was noted in pages 7-9 of the July 2010 Dateline, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is lobbying against this bill. However, many Catholic national legislative representatives have signed on in support of the bill. DignityUSA wants to know what role their faith has played in their decision to support this bill.

Dignity/New York's Huge Rainbow Flag Technical instructions for logging into the conference will in New York City's 2010 be sent out to Chapters or individuals who sign up for the event. Sign up and logon details will follow. Participants will need a computer with Internet access and, if in a group setting, a flatscreen TV or projector which can be hooked up to a com- puter. The conference service is Dimdim—a browser-based Web conferencing application.

So, save the date of September 18, 2010, and log-on to join family and friends from across the country in support of DignityUSA and learn more about how Catholics can support civil rights for LGBT people. Dateline August 2010 - 11 - Announcement

Catholic GLBT Ministry Survey By Sheila Nelson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology, College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University

Below are two letters — one in English, the other in Spanish — inviting participants in a Catholic GLBT Ministry Survey.

July 2010

Dear Members and Friends of the Catholic GLBT Community,

I am a sociologist, teaching at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Central Minnesota. As a committed Catholic, I have long been interested in Catholic identity and how Catholic organizations serve their target populations and advance their specific missions while maintaining their legitimacy within the larger Catholic community. My current research focuses on organizations engaged in ministry and outreach to the Catholic GLBT community. I am interested in better understanding how organizations can improve the dialog about GLBT issues within the Catholic community at this time of increasing polarization within both our society and our Church.

In order to do this, I need your assistance. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page, and it will take you to an on-line survey. When you have completed the survey, simply click the SUBMIT button and your answers will come to a central site on campus with no identifying information—you are assured complete confidentiality. While many of the questions ask for your personal beliefs and understandings, know that my primary interest is in these organizations. The personal questions will help me identify who is being served by the various organizations, whose needs are not being met, and how these organizations might better serve those in need of their ministry. Those of you who have connections with multiple organizations may receive multiple invitations to complete the sur- vey, but you may only submit ONE survey per person. I’d like to get as diverse a sample as possible, so feel free to forward the sur- vey link to anyone else you think might be interested in completing it. While the intent is to get a wide cross-section of the Catholic community, it is not necessary that people be currently practicing Catholics in order to participate in the survey. It is important that I hear from those who have left the Catholic community as well as those who have joined and those who have chosen to remain.

The survey will take you approximately an hour to complete. You may skip any question that doesn’t apply or that you are unable or choose not to answer. I know that your time is precious, and I deeply appreciate your willingness to provide your thoughts and per- ceptions. Your participation is vitally important!

I would appreciate your completing the survey as soon as possible. I hope my findings will be useful to organizations serving the Catholic GLBT community. Summaries of my research will be provided to them and hopefully included in their newsletters and post- ed on their websites. If, however, you personally would like to receive a summary report, e-mail your contact information (name and e-mail address) to me at [email protected] with your request after submitting your survey.

Sincerely,

Sheila Nelson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Sociology College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University

Catholic GLBT Ministry Survey (Click on this link) Continued on page 12 Dateline August 2010 - 12 -

Catholic GLBT Ministry Survey Continued from page 11

Julio de 2010

Estimados Miembros y Amigos de la Comunidad GLBT Católica,

Soy socióloga y profesora en el Colegio de Saint Benedict y la Universidad de St. John's, localizada en el centro de Minnesota. Como católica comprometida, siempre he estado interesada en lo que significa ser católico, en cómo las organizaciones católicas sirven a sus poblaciones y en cómo avanzan sus misiones específicas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo su legitimidad dentro de la comunidad católi- ca. Mi investigación actual está enfocada en organizaciones que dedican su ministerio a la comunidad GLBT Católica. Estoy interesa- da en comprender mejor cómo estas organizaciones pueden mejorar el diálogo sobre temas GLBT dentro de la comunidad católica, aún en medio de un ambiente cada vez más polarizante en la sociedad y la Iglesia Católica.

Para lograrlo, necesito su ayuda. Por favor haga clic en el enlace al fondo de esta página, el cual le llevará a una encuesta en el portal web. Cuando haya completado la encuesta, simplemente haga clic en el botón ENVIAR y sus respuestas serán recibidas por nuestro equipo sin ningún tipo de información que le pueda identificar—le garantizo su confidencialidad total. Aunque muchas de las pregun- tas sean acerca sus creencias personales, sepa que mi interés principal son las organizaciones. Las preguntas personales me ayudarán a identificar quién está siendo atendido por estas organizaciones, qué necesidades no están siendo atendidas, y como las organiza- ciones pueden servir mejor a aquellas personas en necesidad de su ministerio. Aquellos de ustedes que tengan conexiones con múlti- ples organizaciones podrían recibir múltiples invitaciones a la encuesta, pero sólo podrán entregar una encuesta por persona. Quisiera recibir respuestas de un grupo de personas que sea lo más diverso posible, así que siéntase en la libertad de enviar el enlace de esta encuesta a otras personas que podrían estar interesadas en completarla. Si bien la intención es obtener una amplia muestra representati- va de la comunidad Católica, no es necesario que las personas sean católicas practicantes para participar en la encuesta. Es importante que yo escuche tanto la perspectiva de aquellos que provienen de la comunidad católica, así como la de aquellos que se han ingresado u optado por permanecer.

La encuesta le tomará aproximadamente una hora en ser completada. Usted puede saltar aquellas preguntas que no apliquen, que no pueda, o que no quiera contestar. Sé que su tiempo es oro, así que le agradezco muchísimo su ayuda. ¡Su participación es muy impor- tante!

Le agradecería que completara la encuesta tan pronto como le sea posible. Espero que mis resultados sean útiles a las organizaciones que sirven a la comunidad GLBT Católica. Un resumen de este estudio será recibido por estas organizaciones, el cual esperamos será incluido en sus boletines y publicaciones. Si a usted le gustaría recibir una copia de este resumen, por favor envíe un correo electróni- co con sus datos personales (nombre y dirección de correo electrónico) a [email protected] una vez haya entregado su encuesta.

Sinceramente,

Sheila Nelson, Ph.D. Profesor Asociada de Sociología, College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University

Spanish Version-Encuesta GLBT del Ministerio Católico (Haga clic en este enlace) Dateline August 2010 - 13 - Announcement Announcement

Faithful Prophets: God Alive A Fortunate Families Gathering in Every Generation Fortunate Families, Inc. is sponsoring Joining Hands …Reaching Out! — a weekend gathering for Catholic Parents Call To Action 2010 National Conference of LGBT Daughters and Sons — Friday to Sunday, October November 5-7, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 22-24, 2010, at Techny Towers Conference Center, 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny, IL 60082. Keynote speakers: Ÿ Shane Claiborne - a founding partner of The Simple The conference center is located on Chicago’s North Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that Shore, 30 minutes from the city or from O’Hare airport. has helped to birth and connect radical faith communi- ties around the world, will present “Resurrecting Four panelists will present a session “You Are Not Alone,” Church” inviting attendees to re-imagine what it as well as a “no-holds-barred” discussion “Burning Questions: means to be the Body of Christ alive in the world, and How Do We Respond to ‘Hot Button’ Issues?” Panelists are: to move beyond complaining about the Church we see • Frank DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways and start becoming the Church we dream about. Ministry Ÿ Asra Nomani - a former reporter for the Wall Street • Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of Dignity- Journal for 15 years, and the author of “Standing USA Alone: An American Woman’s Struggle for the Soul • Mary Ellen Lopata, Co-founder of Fortunate Families of Islam,” a manifesto for women’s rights in Islam, • Sheila Nelson, President of the Catholic Association for will present “Bad Girls of Faith: The Daughters of Lesbian and Gay Ministry. Sarah and Hajar Standing Together to Reclaim the Feminist Tradition.” Rev. Vicki Wunsch, who develops and leads workshops Ÿ Joan Chittister - founder and executive director of such as “Building an Inclusive Church” across denominations, Benetvision in Erie, PA, also serves as co-chair of the will lead a workshop “Using Our Stories to Build a More Global Peace Initiative, a United Nations partnership Welcoming Church Community.” organization of women faith leaders working for peace. Joan will present “Prophets of a Future Not A PDF brochure is available at Our Own.” www.fortunatefamilies.com/docs/138899W00906FFJoiningbro chure.pdf . On Friday, November 5th, there will be six concurrent all- day pre-conference seminars, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., one of Registration form is available at which is “All the Colors of the Rainbow: The Lives of LGBTQ http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/docs/Microsoft%20Word%2 People Across the Age Spectrum.” The four panelists are: 0-%20JHRORegistrationFormHoriz.pdf . Ÿ Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, DignityUSA Details about the Techny Towers Conference & Retreat Ÿ Frank DeBernardo, Executive Director, New Ways Center are at www.technytowers.org. Ministry Ÿ Megan Heeney, member, Call To Action Next Gen Group Ÿ Jon Schum, member, Dignity/Boston.

Full conference details and registration form will be found at www.cta-usa.org/conference or call 815-299-7158.

There were three low rate registration dates. The first date has passed. The next lowest rate early registrations must be postmarked or date stamped no later than September 15, 2010.