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NEWSLETTER February 1997

We Are Many Parts; We Are All One Body

This newsletter is a publication through which Dignity members can share their news items, thoughts, ideas, experi- ences, and feelings with each other. Opinions expressed are those of the individual writer and are not to be construed necessarily as those of the editor, Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, or of the Catholic Church.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

wi e s own at Ko e Project, 1509 Dignity Houston is appy to extend t eir Fairview, at 7 pn The line-up until Dignity /USA membership by paying their Bernardin's Gay August are the charming and musically membership fee for another year! toe-tapping La Cenereniola by Rossini (Feb Remember the operating expenses of Song 7), the musically lush Romeo and Juliet by Dignity /Houston are funded solely by Gounod (Mar 7), Mozart's mesmerizing your donations. Keep up your generous According to The Washington Blade, The Magic Flute (Apr 4), Verdi's powerful support as Dignity serves the family of DC's gay newspaper, three weeks before and dramatic OteITo (May 2), the vocal lesbian and gay Catholics in Houston in the late Cardinal's death, he requested fireworks of Donizetti's light comedy Don 1997. that the Windy City Gay Chorus sing at Pasquale (june 6), and the sultry passion of And please consider further his wake. And sing they did in the Holy Bizet's Carmen in its Broadway enhancing your presence in Narre Cathedral as this man of peace and incarnation, Carmen Jones (Aug 1). (There Dignity /Houston and increasing your reconciliation lay in state. is no film July 4) participation by serving as ministers in What a loss to Catholics and non- Performances are free; contributions our liturgies, hosting social events and Catholics was this man's death! are accepted. For more information call sponsoring new members. Don't forget- According to Randy Kowalik in his recent The Kolbe Project at 713-522-8182. we will need your help in organizing the letter of [an 17 to the editor of the National 1998 regional meeting scheduled for next Catholic Review, "Cardinal Bernadin's ERROR February. Cathollic Commn Ground Initiative TWIT lists Dignity sponsoring films at showed real promise of including gay Kolbe House every Friday night .. Catholics (via Dignity USA) in a dialogue Instead, Dignity/Kolbe is doing opera King Cake Party toward understanding and healing the night every first Friday. Dignity factions within the church. We can only continues to reserve the second Friday On February 8, in hope that God raises up another leader of for films at Dignity Center. celebration of Mardi his stature and love." Gras, we will have a King Cake Party following 1996 Mass. (For even more fun, February Pot read the "King Cake Contributions Party" article in the Luck editorial section of this Thanks to all who contributed to newsletter. ) Potluck Brunch at Mike O'Donnell's Dignity /Houston in 1996 through the (793 Worthshire, 869-4543) Sunday, offertory collection, special donations and GEf OUT YOUR UTILE BLACK BOOKS February 9, at noon. Mike lives in the contributions to the St. Stephen's Fund. Enclosed with this newsletter is a sheet with Those of you who donated by check Hidden Lake Town Homes near West 11th updates for the Dignity directory Street and T.e. Jester. If you are traveling or through the stewardship envelopes west on West 11th (away from should have received your receipts by downtown) Worthshire is the last street now. If you haven't, and need a receipt for Celebrate our before you get to T.e. Jester. Turn south on your tax return, contact Mike Goertz at members with Worthshire (to the left). When Worthshire 266-1299. February birthdays ends, take the road to the right and find If you would like us to keep a record 1~-.J--:7I.llonth on the third Mike's home in the 7th unit on the left.. of your offertory contributions for 1997, Saturday of this please either donate by check or place month, February 15, right after mass. cash in an envelope with your name. Video Operas Stewardship envelopes can be found among the pamphlets next to the bulletin March Newsletter board by the entrance. Dignity Houston joins Kolbe Project Special thanks to our seventeen Submission deadline: Feb. 22 in sponsoring a filmed opera presentation members who donated the equivalent of at Publication date: Mar. 1 the first Friday of every month. The films least $7.00 a week over the past year.

------~ ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS

T-shirts: We have T-shirts ($10.00) Stone Soup: Place offerings of Newsletter Submissions: Please with the Dignitr,/Houston logo. Sizes L groceries at the altar weekly. Feminine continue to contribute items to make our and XL are available. hygiene items, toiletries of various kinds newsletter truly the voice of all our and paper grocer bags are very much members. First time submissions are highly Free Membership: Dignity Houston needed.Thank you! encouraged. Send your thoughts to the offers free membership in Dignity/USA editor: Bob Singleton, 4520 Stanford Ct., for those who match or exceed a pledge of Welcome, New Members: Dignity Houston, TX 77041-8840 or put them on $7.00 per week ($364.00 per year) in the members informally go to dinner in groups the recorder at 937-3310, FAX to 937- year. Keep up your stewardship and to a variety of local restaurants after the 3310 (after recorder answers dial 3, then contributions to the only organization Saturday evening liturgies. The the star button, then start your machine), which honestly and compassionately has conversation and fellowship is always or e-mail [email protected]. served lesbian and gay Catholics over 20 delightful. We also have regular social years in Houston! get-togethers. Plan to join us at more than Wish List: Dignity/Houston is need Just the liturgies. of the following items:: recycling bins, more kitchen cabinets.

EDITORIALS

From the pen of George Wetzel successful in his legal battles, how long At the ball, the lord of Misrule, the would it have taken for the morally leader of the revelers, led his merry band Taking up righteous to attack the freedom of of troops on a grand march through the lesbians, gays, transgendered and bisexual opera house, with four court fools persons in this country. following them carrying a huge king cake. Responsibility Freedom of speech is ganted to each The big surprise of the evening was abut and every one of us. Not just those with to occur-Carnival's first queen! youf value your freedom of speech university degrees, money, influential Borrowing a custom which originated in in this country then I strongly urge friends or family, etc. A friend of mine once pre-Medieval Europe, the king cake was Iyou to see the movie The People vs rernaked tht we will not be totally to be used to select the queen. Hidden in Larry Fb/.nt. accepted as lesbians and gays in the the cake was a golden bean. The court While I may be critical of sorre country until the least educated and cool fools were to slice the cake and hand aspects of the movie, I believe the major are accepted. Not so bright heterosexuals pieces to the ladies-in-waiting. The lady points are made quite dramatically and do not have to defend or justify their who received the piece with the bean with full bore talent. partners, lifestyle, etc., neither do we have would be queen. Freedom of speech is only as good as to be TV sitcom !?orgeous, educated, Well, fools that they were, the court it can be if it provides a Wide range of mannered, coiffed, antiqued, styled, etc. to fools, who had been partaking of the protection. And the freedom is not to be be accepted. Enjoy your first amendment liquid refreshments for the evening, mterpreted as the Rev. Jerry Falwell and privilege this month and go out and say or bungled the presentation. Rather than Charles Keating (Lincoln Savings and write somehitng truly outrageous-do it politely passin~ the slices of cake to the Loan bailout of 2+ billion dollars) would for Larry Ffynt and an protected young ladies, pieces were dropped in their hope it to be in very narrow "community speakers. laps and in some cases even thrown in standards" they attempt to manipulate. their faces. Needless to say, the ladies Freedom of speech must apply to the From the pen of Michael Goertz were rather miffed. In fact, the young lady least of us if it is to have any meaning and who received the piece with the bean if it is to be enjoyed by all. Approval of or swallowed it in l?rotest. here was no participation in the free speech of Larry King Cake Party queen this carnival, However, the Flynt is not required-but allowing him to following year, the court fools cleaned up exercise that freedom is one of the he king cake is a New Orleans their act and a queen was chosen. And to bedrocks of these United States. tradition which dates from this day, Twelfth Night Revelers still use Freedom of speech gets its malt TJanuary 6, 1870. That was the the concept of a king cake to select the publicized attention in the area of human night when the second organized krewe, queen and her maids at their ball, which is sexuality, which in our country, many the Twelfth Night Revelers, held its the official start of the Carnival season. elements conspire to repress, deny and inaugural parade and ball. Heretofore, Somewhere along the way, sorne obscure because they both fear and loathe Mardi Gras was an all-male happening, in~enious baker in New Orleans carne up sexuality and eroticism on the one hand with ladies in the audience at the ball With the idea of throwing a kin~ cake and they remain fascinated with it on the invited to dance only at the end of the party. From Twelfth Night to Mardi Gras, other. proceedings. But on this night the course of kin!? cake parties are held on a regular Freedom of speech works for all of us history was to change. baSIS.The cake is decorated in the Mardi or none of us. If Flynt had not been Gras colors of purple representing justice, green for faith and gold for power. And is by sharing the inner working of our time and energy to make every submission hidden somewhere in the cake is a small souls. a valuable contribution. object. 'Through the years this hidden Thus the editor invites submission of Mail submissions to White Crane, P. object has evolved from beans, nuts and articles and personal accounts that reveal 0. Box 684704, Austin TX 78768. Please coins to a plastic baby doll. Its more the subtle workings of the spirit in gay include a SASE for return. You can sanitary and less easy to swallow. The men's lives: contact the editor bye-mail at person who has the piece with the baby - how deep sexual feelings work to TobyJohnso@aol,com. hidden inside is crowned "king." or as inspire spiritual longings history has it "queen," and takes on the - how deep spiritual feelings enhance From the pen of Bob Singleton responsibility of buying the next cake or sexual expenence hosting the next party. And the scene is repeated again the next week. - how our lovers manifest, in the flesh, Having Our Say For some reason, this seems to be a "God's" love for us rather appropriate activity for this group. - how the internecine hurt, pain and magineliving in 1997 and having We hope our reigning monarch wi1l rejection we cause one another because personal memories that stretch ins~ire his or her royal subjects to share we're members of an oppressed minority Iback to the war of 1812! their time and talent with our Dignity call us to participate in the sufferings of That is just what audiences are family by providing Saturday evening "God," striving to cope with the treated to in the Alley's production of refreshments, hosting a monthly New York limitations and problems of Having Our Say, the story of the Delaney Times brunch, board garre; night or movie individualized incarnation and multiplied sister's first hundred years, a stage night or bringing a new member to Dignity. perspective adaptation by Emily Mann of Sadie and Catch the giving Mardi Gras spirit. - how the beauty of young rrm shines Bessie Delany's book about their 104 and Now, there are some rules which must forth as the beauty of "God" and "God's" 101 years of life. be adhered to. These are the five creation These two centenarian but youth- filled spinsters invite the audience into commandments of king cake parties: - how the "enlightenment" that comes I. Thou shalt not pick up a piece of cake, their New York City bungalow (and oh, with gay sensibility results in feelings of .what a set the Alley has in store for you) stick your fingers in it and return it to the personal frustration in dealing with "the table should you find the plastic baby for tea. They share pictures and stories of world," but, thereby, push us to their family beginning with their great inside. Once removed from the table the participate in "saving the world" cake must be consume. great grandmother, a southern woman II. Thou shalt not look at the bottom of - how I!ay experience redefines the who when her husband went off to fight the cake. The pretty colors are on top. notion of '>tod" the British in 1812, took a slave man as III. Thou shalt not purposely swallow - how the model of gay forebears her lover and bore two children who were the baby. , demonstrates wisdom and hints at the subsequently accepted by her husband on IV. Thou shalt not remove the baby from meaning of life for fellow gay men his return. the cake and place it in our picket, the - how the work of spiritual writers- These two winning, warm, disarming garbage, another slice of cake or gay and non-gay, ancient and women relive may events of their lives, anywhere else for that matter. contemporary-have helped give meaning their amazingly courageous, mixed race V. Thou shalt not leave the premises to life and to gay identity: Thomas Merton, ancestors, their dealing with Jim Crow until all pieces of cake have. been Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Joseph laws, the civil rights struggles of the consumed or the monarch has been Campbell, es. Lewis, Alan Watts, Arthur second half of this century, and their crowned, whichever come first. C. Clarke, Edward Carpenter, John hopes for the next hundred years. In the DISCLAIMER: The management shall Boswell, Mark Thompson, eG. Jung, course of the evening the audience is not be held responsible for any broken Giordano Bruno, MarsiIio Ficino, Meister invited to stay for dinner for their teeth or accidental chokin~ while Eckhardt, John of the Cross, Gerard continuing annual celebration of their consuming the king cake. King cake Manley Hopkins, Ramakrishna, father's birthday and we are treated to aficionados have skillfully developed Christopher Isherwood, Walter Williams, their preparing the dinner in theri kitchen. techniques for feeling the inside of the slice Gerald Heard, Will Roscoe, Harry Hay, rsaw this show twice and both times of cake with their fingers and/or Mitch Walker, Arthur Evans-and how I came away feeling like ny immediate carefully biting into the cake. many more? family had been suddenly enriched by the Bon appetite and - how coming out has been an experience addition of these two loving women and Happy Mardi Gras! of conversion their powerfully family centered ancestors. - how sexual deisire is an occasion for Do yourself a favor and expand your Call for prayer own experiences by witnessing their - how homosexuality is the sign of a story. Submissions vocation that cannot be resisted - how "God" receives waves of joy each THE HEIDI CHRONICLES time a human consciousness enteres the by Wendy Wasserstein. [Toby Johnson who used to own Liberty altered state of sexual arousal and breaks At The High School for the Performing and Books, a gay-lesbian book store in Austin, is through into pleasure Visual Arts, February 20, 21, 22 & 27, 28, now pul1lishing a journal named White - how sexual arousal and the ecstasy of Mar 1, 7:30 pm; Matinee, Sat, Mar 1, 3:30 Crane. He asks for submissions regarding orgasm are participation in "God's" joy gay-male spirituality. The editor of the Tfi:e play chronicles the story of a Dignity Houston Newsletter encourages w how gay sensibility and enlightenment contribute to the development of a new woman's experiences in the 60;s, 70's & the men of Dignity to submit to Toby 80's punctuated with music of each Johnson and invites both the women and the spiritual awareness for humankind . - how YOU WOKE UP decade. Directed by veteran director, men of ~u~ Dignity family to submit to our Suzanne Phillips, produced by Bob own Dlgmty Houston Newsletter.} Please share your expereince and hard-won wisdom through the pages of Singleton. Tickets, $7.00, are sold at the door. hite Crane Journal is White Crane. Articles and personal committed to enhancing accounts need not be professionally W the spiritual lives of gay written if you'll work with the Editor to rrm by proclaimmg the so-often bring the composition and style up to suppressed news that many, many gay rrm standard. Believing that working through ARE, perhaps by constitution, spiritually- written text to bring out all its subtle oriented. One way we proclaim that news meaning is itself an act of spiritual discipline, the Editor is willing to invest • ~"'.'jl, ,. -, ;. . February 1997 '~.. ri· ~ Dignity/Houston Center, 1307-H Yale, 713-880-2872 •

". I] II' r.• Or. A"'IIII;.J..."'{i r.• Or. ". Or. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 1 - Peggy R. 25 - Phil D. 7:00pm Sacrament of Reconciliation. 17 - Manuel L. - Jane S. - Gene R. 26 - Bob S. 17'30pm Dignity Mass I 18 - John T. 27 - Jon B. 19 - Steve R. 2 3 4 5 16 7 8 Ground Hog Day St. Blase 7 - 9pm Houston 7:00pm Opera Film Ir30pm Dignity Mass Candlemas (Blessing of the Pride Band "La Cenerentola" Rehearsal. at Kolbe House, Presentation of the Lord Throats) King Cake Party after Mass. 1509 Fairview St., 6 - 8pm Womens' Softball (4th Sun. in Ordinary Time) 713-522-8182. 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. League Meeting. - 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 oo 5th Sun. in Ordinary Time w,e pm St. Valentine's pm Dignity MM' Dignity Ilf'30 12noon Potluck Brunch at Mike ~ Day O'D.'s, -1:~ __ t.:_ Board ~ Lincoln ',f Birthday (Abstinence) , ~~ Birthdays Celebration after 793 Worthshire St., 713-869-4543, Meeting Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday I'm* 7:30pm Cinema e Mass. (Fast and Abstinence) ~ ' Night (Mardi Gras) First day of Lent 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 1st Sunday of Lent President's Day 7 - 9pm Houston (Abstinence) 5:30pm Communion Service Pride Band Rehearsal. Washington's Birthday !l7:30pm Dignity•Mass 23 24 25 26 27 28 Znd Sunday of Lent 7 - 9pm Houston (Abstinence) Pride Band 7:30pm Rehearsal. Cinema .' , Night ~

All events are at Dignity Center unless stated otherwise. Please bring non-perishable foods and toiletries to Mass on Saturdays for Stone Soup.

I' _ 87 per day. FromJanuary 1 to 7, ScO.UfD. O;~,"~IVSA 531 hits were tallied, averaging 75 FEBRUARY Bri~fly Noted. • • per day. Visitors from global 199 7 cyphers pace include folks in ~~~~ ~::::.::;' CWC Retreat programs were shown at the Dig- nity reception in Washington in Canada, the UK,Japan, Germany, D.nT.J;U H.J; The firstannual Committee for Sweden, the Philippines, New VOL.6, NO.2 October and were enthusiastically Women's Concerns Retreat is set Zelaand, Egypt, and Russia, for February 14 in Phoenix, AZ. received. Two one-hour tapes are ~ currently availahle: Programs I & Women Ministering to Women New Ways Fourth hegins at 9:30 am 2 (july and August 1996) and Pro- ~ ~ and runs until 4:30 grams 3 & 4 (September and Octo- Annual Symposium dign t'JPllns 1\)'\~ PM. The event is ber 1996). For more information, The New Ways Ministry itVI contact Preston Pittman, the usa Symposium The Church Teadringl heing held in con- junction with the program's producer, at 212- 799· Teaching the Church is set 5386, or write to him at the GCH for March 7-9, 1997 in Pitts- CONVENTION • Mountain Plains Regional Confer- Video Project, P.O. Box 1554,FDR burgh,Pennsylvania. Of National Note ... Station, New York, NY 10150. UPDATE ence which follows Speakers include Daniel CALL FOR MOTIONS: from February 14 to 16. A $5 do- * Registration pawls for Dignityl Helminiak, Richard Rohr, OFM, The February mailing will contain the official HOD delegate allot- nation is requested and child care Visiting the Web Site USA's Biennial Conoention were Marianne Duddy, Jim ment based on theJanuary 31 membership count. NOW is the time to will be provided. For more infer- Marianne Ladd, who main- mailed in earlyJanUilry. Schexnayder, Joan Chittister, direct questions about membership numbers to the Dignity/USA mation, contact Della Nagle at I· tains Dignity/USA's web site SITE: OSB, Virginia Apuzzo and David office. 800-484-9366, code 7465. Boston's Park Plaza Hotel (www.dignityusa.org) has ? Schimmel, among others. Bish· * DELEGATE CREDENTIALS DATES: compiled statistics on opsThomasGumhletooand The February mailing to all chapters contains the official HOD regis- Board of Diredors: July 1to 3 Couples Task Force the number of Matthew Clark will ad- tration form for credentialing of delegates. In early March, a mailing will House of Delegates: July 5 10 10 Seeks Materials pages accessed- ~..& dress the topic "Pasto- be sent directly to those delegates who have registered by March 10. General Contention: July 17 to 13 The National Couples' Task or "hits" in web ral Care of Lesbian and Chapters who have not yet named their delegates will receive the infer- QUESTIONS: Force will he gathering material for talk- made since Gay People" on Satur- mation at the schapter's PO Box. Chapters are urged to name their DIUSA Convention '97 a resource booklet for couples' itsbirth in mid-Oc- day afternoon. Registra- delegates as soon as possible to facilitate the communication process. POBox 956 ministry. TaskForce members are tober. For example, 51, tion, $165.00, is due by Feb- NATIONAL OFFICERS: Back Bay Amux particularly interested in examples she reports that from Z) ruary 19,to New Ways, 401229th * Decemher 22 to 31, St., Ml Rainier, MD 20712.Acopy Candidates who wish to stand for election for the positions of National Boston, MA 02117 of union ceremonies, retreat ideas, the period soon after the of the brochure may he obtained Fresident and Vice President forthe upcoming term (10/1/97 to 9/30/99), E-MAIL: discussion group information, and Dignity/USA advertisement ap- bycalling301-277-5674.Singleday dignity97@aoLcom books appropriate for couples' should submit their names and qualifications to National Secretary Ben pearedin the Aduoaue; 875hits were registration is also available. ministry. Although a number of Boerkoel. Candidates are nominated and elected as a two person slate logged, with an average of about reflecting gender parity. Nominations close 60 days before the opening HAPPY chapters have already suhmitted meeting of theJuly 1997HOD. materials, samples will be ac- cepted until February 15. For Study Guide TAX TIME: ANNIVERSARY . * more information, contact your Are you preparing to face IRS forms? Do you need a tax statement Claiming _E • 7 Sessions Vermont 3 region's TaskForce representatives itemizing 1996 contributions to Dignity/USA? You can request one by Austin 18 Ch i""'~ -ssss,» or regional director. the ,671",,,,,'1 ·f4S0for/O. leaving a message at the national office: 1-800-877-8797. Richmond 21 * BASIL RYAN REPORT Dallas 22 Gay Catholic Hour :$;a;;r'sGuide The final report from the consuItingfum ofBasil Ryan, which concen- Promise ~-~ " " Videotapes of The Gay Catho- trates on stabilizing and increasing Dignity's membership and improving Milwaukee 22 (}roundbreakinq Bible ~ ~ ' Order yours today! lie Hour, a monthly program pro- our operation as an organization, is now in the review phase. A full report SanFrancisco U Study Curriculum on '- Add$:W(){ors:hipping duced by Dignity/New York T... }/omo~eruality to the entire national membership is forthcoming. LosAngeles 28 , , and shown on *COUPLES' TASK FORCE Manhattan Representatives from two more regions have been appointed to the DignitJI/USA. Suite 11. 1500 Massachusetts: Ave., NW WEB PAGE Cable Televi- Washington. DC 20005 Tel: 202-56HlOI7 Fax: 202-429-911'05 Couples' Task Force. The committee welcomes Nick Cardello and Kirk a~tS sion, are now Dignity/USA's web page ~:~::t.~ English from the Southern Region and a couple from the Midwest's De- a vailable at a troit chapter. is worth a look! www.dignityusa.org ~I modest cost. * BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Several of the The Board of Directors meets in Boston February 28 to March 2. ".. -r

From the pen of Bob Heer The Company on Stage (536 Westbury Mar 1; co-produced with Talento Square, 726-1219) The Mousetrap by Bilingue presented at 2301 Runnels, Theatre Thoughts Agatha Christie, plays thru Mar 1. Spic-O-Rama by John Leguizamo (of Ensemble Theatre (3535 Main Street, Wong Fu fame). [February dates not 520-0055) Jar the Floor by Cheryl L. available at publication time] and More West, opens Feb 6 thru Mar 16. Rice Players (Haman Hall, 527-4027) Houston 'Ballet (Wortham Center, 5- House of Blue Leaves by John Guare, orry I missed the deadline last BALLET) Elite Syncopations & Rite of opens Feb 12-22. month for the January theatre Spring, opens Feb 27 thru Mar 9. Stages Repertory Theatre (3201 Allen Sarticle. As you can see from the Houston Community College-Central Pkwy, 527-8243) Three Viewings by following, there is quite a variety this -(3517 Austin, 630-1138) Driving Miss Jeffrey Hatcher, thru Feb 9, Lady Day at month from which to choose. Check them Daisy by Alfred Uhry, opens Feb 19- Emerson's Bar & Crill by Lanie out and see what tickles your fiancy, then 23. Robertson, opens Feb 19, thru Mar 16. go out and attend as many as your budget Houston Grand Opera (Wortham Theatre LaB Houston (1706 Alamo, 868- allows. Center, 546-0246) Salome by Richard 7516) The Tragic & Horrible Life of the Strauss thru Feb 7; Faust by Charles Singing Nun by Blair Fell, plays thru A. D. Players (2710 W. Alabama, 526- Gounod, Feb 2-16. Feb 16. 2721) John, His Story by Jeannette Clift, HSPVA (4001 Stanford, 942-1966) The Theatre Suburbia (1410 W. 43rd Street, opens [an 31 thru Mar 9. Heidi Chronicles by Wendy 682-3525) Accomplice by Rupert Actors Theatre of Houston (2506 South Wasserstein,plays Feb 20-22 & Feb 27- Holmes, plays thru Feb 8. Blvd. 229-6606) The Class Menagerie Mar l. U. Of H. School of Theatre (Lydall by Tennessee Williams, plays thru Mar Main Street Theatre (Chelsea Market, Wortham Theatre, UofH Campus, 2. 4617 Montrose, 524-6706) The Miser Entrance 6 off Cullen, 743-2929) Much Actors Workshop (1009 Chartres, 236- by Moliere, plays thru Mar 2; (2540 Ado about Nothing by Shakespeare, 1844) Cliffhanger by James Jaffe, opens Times Blvd, 524-6706)Someone Who'll opens Feb 14, 15,21,22 at 8 pm, Feb 23 Feb 6 thru Mar l. Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness, at 2 pm. Alley Theatre (615 Texas, 228-8421) plays thru Feb 9. Enjoy! Having Our Say by Emily Mann, plays New Heights Theatre (339 W. 19th thruFeb 8. Street, 869-8927) Virgins and Other My ths by Colin Mar-.rt~in!.!.,~~la~s~thru~:-:----::---:-:--:---:-::::-:-:::-"7-:-::-:::-:-:--:---:::::-:-::~:"'1 Dignity/USA: 1500 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005, 1-800-877-8797.

DignitylHouston meets Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at 1307 Yale, Suite H Houston, Texas 77008. (713) 880-2872

Mailing Address: Box 66821, Houston, TX 77266 Newsletter Address: 4520 Stanford Ct., Houston, TX 77041-8840 Newsletter e-mail: [email protected] Newsletter Phone/FAX: (713) 937-3310

Dignity /Houston is dedicated to the welfare of gay and lesbian Catholics and their friends. Articles published in this newsletter are not necessarily the opinion of the board of Dignity/Houston or the editor. Publication of names and/or organizations in this newsletter should not be construed as indication of sexual orientation. Newsletter items may be mailed to the editor at the address above. Submissions should be kept to less than a column and a half per month per person submitting. Depending on space availability, some articles may be edited. Advertising costs for business-card size ads is $10.00 per month, six months for $50.00. Deadline for receiving articles is the 16th of the previous month. Membership: $40.00/year. Couples membership: $74.00/year Please support our advertisers

Swilley- ~ Hudson &. .\~50CI.\TES ISC. - REALTORS "The Spirit of Excellence" MIKE COMEAUX Realtor!>/ Associate Residential & Commercial Sales / Leasing Pager: (713) 490-2276

(713) 520-8888-Fax (713) 520-612-+ 704 Hawthorne Street-Houston, Texas ii006 NEWSLETTER March 1997

We Are Many Parts; We Are All One Body

This newsletter is a publication through which Dignity members can share their news items, thoughts, ideas, experi- ences, andfeelings with each other. Opinions expressed are those of the individual writer and are not to be construed necessarily as those of the editor, Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, or of the Catholic Church.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Mar 24 69th Annual Celebrate our April Newsletter Academy Awards members with Holy Thursday Service 7:30 February birthdays • 1~"-'-"?'llJonth on the third Deadline • Good Friday Service 7:30 Saturday of this • Vigil Mass ? ? ? month, February 15, right after mass. Because of where the HISD spring • Easter Pot Luck at 3:00 p:n with mass break falls this year, the April Dignity following at 5:30 with Bill Tarter. Houston Newsletter will come out April 5. The deadline for submission is April 1. (Sorry, this is no April Fool's joke.) Video Operas Dignity Houston/Kolbe Project present: opera video evenings, these first Fridays, April Newsletter 7:00 pn, at 1509 Fairview. (713-522- Submission deadline: Apr 1 8182) Publication date: Apr 5 Mar 7 Romeo and Juliet (Gounod) Apr 4 The Magic Flute (Mozart) May 2 Otello (Verdi) [un 6 Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Coming Events Jul4 NO OPERA Aug 1 Carmen Jones (Bizet's Carmen • Every Wed in March, Lenten via a Broadwa re-do) Scriptures at Kolbe House at 7:30 • Mar 14 Cinema Night 7:30 at the Not much under announcements this month. Center Please submit news of upcoming events to • Mar 20 Board Meeting at 7:00 pm !i0ur newsletter editor as soon as you nalize our lans • Mar 21 Board Games 7:30 at Michael D's

ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS

T-shirts: We have T-shirts ($10.00) with Stone Soup: Place offerings of groceriesat Newsletter Submissions: Please continue the Dignity/Houston logo. SizesL and XLare the altar weekly. Feminine hygiene items, to contribute items to make our newsletter available. toiletriesofvarious kinds and paper grocerbags truly the voice of all our members. First time are very much needed. Thank you! submissionsare highly encouraged. Send your Free Membership: DignityHouston offers thoughts to the editor: Bob Singleton, 4520 free membership in Dignity/USA for those Welcome, New Members: Dignity Stanford Ct., Houston, TX 77041-8840 or put who match or exceed a pledge of $7.00 per membersinformallygo to dinner in groups to a them on the recorder at 937-3310, FAXto 937- week ($364.00 per year) in the year. Keep up variety of local restaurants after the Saturday 3310 (after recorder answers dial 3, then the your stewardship and contributions to the only evening liturgies.The conversation and fellow- star button, then start your machine), or e-mail organization which honestly and ship is always delightful. We also have regular to [email protected]. compassionately has served lesbian and gay socialget-togethers. Plan to join us at more Catholicsover 20 years in Houston! than just the liturgies. EDITORIALS

From the pen of George Wetzel From the pen afKeith Wright constitution. In South Africa, the non- violent activism of the Buddha, the Christ, Taking The End Is---NeiH Gandhi, and Mandela succeeded in assuring constitutional guarantees of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual Responsibility ill ... Over(?) orientation for lesbians and gays. Interesting to note is that countries na recent rrove to avoid the Ph-e-ew! Irn glad that's over with. terrorized by oppressive hierarchies - practical implications of the The change of the millennium can be a such as the nominally Christian Nazis or I'spousal benefits" for the scary experience. Many false prophets of South-African white minority who archdiocese of San Francisco, the doom anse during events which mark the carried out pogroms, repression, and mass archbishop, William Levada, requested an progress of time. Clearly, as we leave the murder - now have legal or constitutional exemption. The NCR reports that a old millennium behind us and start the tolerance for natural, human diversity. compromise has been reached which "will third millennium, we can rejoice in the Shockingly, the Vatican, London, and allow employees of city contractors to signal events which mark this change. Washington still mount Blizkrieg against desi~ate someone in their household to O-oh! Did you miss this Singular, Lambdans! These later-day hypocrites receive 'spousal equivalen~ .benefits'." once-in-fifty-generations occurrence? I have not taken the lessons .of the This could be a spouse, sibling, other realize that there were no fireworks but Holocaust or White-Minority Rule to relative or unmarried partner. we have to make allowances for the heart! Even now, a prominent memorial to So, the sensitive archdiocese will be temporally, spiritually challenged. WE gays persecuted by the Nazis is planned in able to say they are not directly paying HAVE JUST CELEBRATED THE Berlin. lesbian and gay workers a benefit due to 2000th ANNIVERSARY OF MARY'S Another millennial victory is the domestic partners, but they will have to GIVING BIRTH TO JESUS! advancement of Larnbdan civil, marital pay. So goes another attempt by Additionally, Honolulu, Hawaii and unions, supported by the Supreme Court of reasonable intelligent people to deny that Johannesburg, South Africa now figure as Hawaii. Here we discern a problem there are lesbians and gays working in the spiritual wellsprings of God's promise of freguentIy faced by true "freedom church and that their relationships are freedom fighters.' The Christian Blight need only valuable and worthy of reinforcement. According to the best estimates, Jesus win a single court battle to assert their What a pity. was born between 8 and 4 BCE Thus, at control, while liberationists (crusaders And now, a bishop, rmzh closer to the latest, the third millennium began Ian 1, for women, Lambdans, Afro-Americans, home, in New Orleans, has "warned" 1997. There are many additional problems Hispanics, Asian-Americans, native- Notre Dame Alumni that a theologian, Rev. in fixing the burgeoning of the Third Americans, for reproductive, economic, or Richard McCormick, SJ., who is on the Millennium: are solar (Roman, modem) or environmental rights) constantly need to Theology faculty at Notre Dame shorter (Iewish, Arabic) lunar years fight the good, uphill fight against University, might be a controversial counted; does the new year begin in bibliolaters. speaker and he was promptly disinvited to September (jewish), March (Roman, Thus, the new millennium has already the Hesburgh Alumni lecture that was to colonial American, papal-regnal), or dawned and is marked by these be held on January 16. January (Late Roman Republic, Post- contributions to the fight for the equal McCormick is an eminent theologian revolutionary America); when was Jesus rights of Lambdans and against the in ~ standing who has not been born (Dec 25, [an 6, or an unknown day)? "special rights" of bigots. disciplined by any superiors. Yet, by Jesus, Paul, and Augustine warn us that Wotyla has proclaimed 2000 a year "fuefin~ the intimidation and fear- om and women are not created for the of Grand Jubilee. mongenng tactics of a small minority of sake of words and symbols, but that the Both Elvis and UFO sighting are ultra-right revisionists who would impose latter are tools for us! Literalism or predicted to be up during 2000 also. . a non-thinkin9 authoritarianism on the "numeralism" are forms of idolatry. What By realizing that the millennium is entire church: Bishop Schulte has seen fit is the natural, holy way to mark the either past or meanin~ess, we who fight to deny the benefit of a scholar's thinking passage of time?! for religious and political freedom now because of a fear of reaction by SOIre Human experiences - such as birth, have a three-to-four year head start over faceless, unnamed group. the blessing ofloving relationships, dying the devil's advocates. When openly and accurately to enter new life, passing your driver's Happy Third Millennium! T challenged by McCormick to give his test, a first kiss, making the perfect "serious reason" for his reservations, he barbecue sauce, hitting the first rorre run was given this rock "since New Orleans is - human experiences hallow time and not not untouched by some of the polarization vice versa. The artificially and arbitrarily and controversy in the church today, some marked passage of time is a symbol we use Also from Keith Wright persons might find objections to your - not a symbol which uses us. For speaking here." What a crock! McCormick Christians, even for Christian Blight, the Banned Books responded by saying that could have birth of Christ is a significant event. Again equally been said of tile current Pope! wemust return to the basic principle that Some of us may be "mature" enough to I will conclude with the last human experience - not SOIre abstract, remember the Index Librorum paragraph of McCormick's response: "I calendrica1 nurnber-crunching - marks Prohibitorum, the List of Forbidden Books. believe that all of us in the church - the passage of time. Eridings and In general, Forbidden Books were any bishops, theologians, priests, educators, beginnings in our experience of the life writings which dared to assume that you lay leaders - must be publicly which GOd has given each of us are tender could think for yourself, rather than accountable for our words, actions, and or tearful, bodily and spiritually letting a remote and dysfunctional policies. My advisers here at Notre Dame prayerful momenls. By even the most hierarchy order you how to think. Join rre in insisting that you have failed 'conservative" estimate, the third and Did you realize that Rome thinks that test." What a pity. T new millennium has already begun! certain books of the Bible are dangerous, What are the great Christian, subversive, and unfit for docile, liberating events which heralded the doctrinally lobotomized church-goers? advent of the third millennium? First, there is the acceptance of the South African The Lectionary for the Roman Rite of A cross is a judgment of the narrow From the pen a/Bob Heer the Catholic Church pre/proscribes a minded three-year cycle of readings for the weekly that I must be wrong, when I am truly Theatre Thoughts celebration of the Lord's Day. Some books right. of the Holy Bible are apparently "holier" The cross is shame and persecution than others. In the cycle of Sunday that is undone by my fight for freedom and More readings, the following books are NEVER and by the love of God for me. proclaimed: Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Tobit, The ignominious cross is a challenge to be Again this month we have a pretty Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, The Song of courageous. full plate of attractions from which to Songs, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. choose. Look over this listing and find There is a romrron thread running But there are false crosses, somethin~ or two which you must see. I through these books of the Biblewhich are ones to which Imistakenly cling, don't believe you will be disappointed .. suppressed or banned from the Sunday crosses Inever ought to bear. cycle of readings - these books subvert Being different is not a cross - A. D. Players (2710 W. Alabama, 526- the program of systematic disinformation being different is a grace, 2721) John, His Story by Jeannette Clift and repression formulated by some of the being different is living the life of Jesus. plays thru Mar 9; Androcles and The hierarchy. Ratzinger and his nefarious Lion by G. B. Shaw opens Mar 13 thru predecessors have viewed unordained With Jesus, Iovercome my cross. Apr5 Christians as intellectual children. That Iturn the wood of the cross Actors Theatre of Houston (2506 South is, any issue which might prompt us to into a ladder to heaven Blvd. 229-6606) The Glass Menagerie think for ourselves is considered too into a boat to sail a troubled sea, by Tennessee Williams plays thru mar "scandalous" for us simple folk. into a table which provided the bread of 2; Broadway Bound by Neil Simon This vibrant thread of revelation life. opens Mar 21 thru May 4. doesn't weave a "seamless garment" for Actors Workshop (1009 Chartres, 236- Jesus, but Rome desperately woofs and Show me.O God, the way of the cross, 1844) Cliffhanger by James Jaffe plays warPs a web of lies to weaken the Spirit's which climbs from injustice to justice, thru mar 1;The Loman Family Picnic by radical words. The "banned books of the which rises from death to new life, Donald Margulies opens Mar 19 thru Bible" all question authority, hypocrisy, which turns defeat into glory, Apr 12. or "sacred tradition" (as Jesus did). which lets pain yield to healing, Alley Theatre (615 Texas, 228-8421) The For example, women Saviors are which makes gay truly joyous! Greeks, Part 1 opens Mar 3, The expunged from the canon; physical Greeks, Part 2 opens Mar 19. expressions of love are banned; Lent means "spring," The Company on Stage (536 Westbury operations not tied to the authority of lent is a time of growth. Square, 726-1219) The Mousetrap by cultic exploiters are shunned; and the Upon the wood of the cross, Agatha Christie plays thru Mar 1; The democratic questioning of Christian beautiful blossom s bloom ..•. Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman opens hierarchy is suppressed. Consider also, Mar 14 thru Apr 19. how important the sacrament of baptism is 00 Ensemble Theatre (Midtown Art in RCIA.,in the Easter liturgy, and in the Center, 3414 LaBranch, 520-0055) Jar definition of who is Christian. Now look the Floorby Cheryl L. West plays thru at John 4:2, a banned verse; are you Are You Being Mar 16. "scandalized," or does this challengin9, Houston Ballet (Wortham Center, 5- verse cause you to think independently' BALLET) Elite Syncopations and Rite Not surprising either is the banning of the Served? of Spring lay thru Mar 9; Dracula gay love story of Jonathan and David in (World Premier) opens Mar 13. the books of Samuel and of Jesus and The challenge and charism, which Houston Broadway Series (Wortham Lazarus in the Secret Gospel of Mark! base communities like Dignity offer, is the Center's Brown Theatre) Funny Girl Rome does not preach the Good News opportunity to build faith communities by Styne, Merrill & Lennart opens of Jesus, but the New Speak of 1984. which are not predicted on hierarchical Mar 4 thru 9. Whether Rome uses the term: avoiding models. The Gospels, Acts, and the Main Street Theatre (Chelsea Market, "scandal" for the laity or TBS uses the Epistles clearly demonstrate that the well- 4617 Montrose, 524-6706) The Miser term "edited for content," censorship is being of the community derives from the by Molier thru Mar 2; A Member of the still censorship! Wotyla and Ratzinger exercise of special, God-given talents each Wedding by Carson McCullers opens censor holy scnpture! of us possesses. Mar 20 fhru Apr 2; and at (2540 Times Start lookirig for Vatican censorship Should I do something for Blvd, 524-6706) Uncle Vanya by Anton of the Bible yourself. Examine the readings Dignity/Palm Beach? Can I do something Chekhov opens Mar 6 thru Apr 6. for the Sundays. Consider their content, for our chapter? These are questions each New Heights Theatre (339 W. 19th and ask yourself: What is being of us must answer for ourselves in the Street, 869-8927) Virgins and other suppressed? privacy of our own heart and consciences. Myths bY' Colin Martin plays thru Be an adult follower of Jesus. Don't Each of us have obvious or hidden Mar 1; Vieux Carre by Tennessee let yourself be "scandalized" by the truth! charisms or gifts! Williams opens Mar 12 thru Apr 12. (The in/correct views expressed in these The communal celebrations of the Stages Repertory Theatre (3201 Allen articles are solely those of the auihor.) .•. Eucharist is the rrost powerful and Pkwy, 527-8243) Lady Day at important service we provide to the Emerson's Bar & Gril by Lanie Lambdan, Christian community of Palm Robertson plays thru Mar 16. Beach. You must ask yourself: Can I help Theatre LaB Houston (1706 Alamo, 868- here by reading, singing, providing 7516) First Lady Suite by Michael John Also from Keith Wright material support (hospitality, candles, LaChuisa opens Mar 12 thru Apr 13. linens, bread, flowers, etc.)? Can I help Theatre Under the Stars (Music Hall, A Lenten Psalm with social functions in the chapter? Can I 810 Bagby, 622-8887) Crazy For You supply other services (carpentry, by George & Ira Gershwin opens Mar o God, transport, publishing, artistic skills, talks, 8 thru Apr 23 with wisdom deeper than the oceans, prayers, movies, games, diners, trips, etc.)? Enjoy! .•. you have fashioned with great love Being a deaconess or deacon means a special cross for me. being a servant of the community. Are you willing to acceJ?t this unique, Christian But what is a cross? office? Please think about it..•. March 1997 . )! , Dignity/Houston Center, 1307-H Yale, 713-880-2872 W

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r-- ---.- ..-- .-. ..-- ._. --.-.J-.--- ..-.------r------1------,--- ·--·-·-·····-·--··--r---·----- 2 3 4 5 6 7 Texas Independence Day 6 - Bpm Womens' 7:30pm Lenten Scriptures (Abstinence) Dignity Mass at Kolbe House, 3rd Sunday of Lent Softball League 7:00pm Opera Video Meeting. 1509 Fairview St., 713- "Romeo and Juliet" 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. 522-8182. at Kolbe House, t 509 Fairview SL 713-522·8182. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 4tll Sunday of Lent 7:30pm Lenten Scriptures (Abstinence) Ides oj March at Kolbe House, 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. 7:30pm i7:30pm Dignity Mass 1509 Fairview St., 713- i 522·8182. Cinema ~ Night 16 17 18 19 20 21 Sth Sunday of Lent SI. Joseph '.~Duy Spring begins (Abstinence) !j7:30pm Dignity Mass (SWill/Oil'S return to 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. ~ 7:00pm Digni- 7:30pm Board Games at Capistrano) Mike O'D.'s, Ii 1:30pm Lenten Scriptures III ~ tyBoard 793 Worthshire St., 713· Kolbe House, Meeting St. Patrick's Day 1m Fairview SI, 713·522·8182. 869-4543. 23 24 '" 25 26 27 28 29 Passion (Palm) Sunday \I 69th Annual ACll- 730pm Lenten Scriptures Holy Thursday lGOOl/ Friday rIlO(I'Sal:lTd~'I';E(lSler ligd at Kolbe House, 7'30 H 1 Th (Filsi III d Ab I' .1 I i7:30Jlm Dlgnll)' Mass 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. M demy Awards 1509 Fairview SI 713.522.8182' . pm 0 y urs- I s mence) I ' day Service 7'30pm Good Friday Service [--_._--_._-_. - ._------~------HOLY WEEK

30 31 MARCH BIRTlIDAYS Easter Sunday ~ Deadline for input ••• into next month's 3 - Joe 1 A. newsletter, for d 3:00pm Easter Poth~ck loll~lI'cd by Ipublication on April 5th. - E wa~d H. 5:30pm Mass WIth Fr. 1M r. 1 7 - Pat rLck Z. _ ..... _.__ ._- .. _--_. __ . -_._-_ ..

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NEWSLETTER May 1997

We .9lre !Mang Parts; We .9lre .9l[[ One t]JOdg

This newsletter is a publication through which Dignity members can share their news items, thoughts, ideas, experi- ences,ana feelings with each other. Opinions expressed are those of the individual writer and are not to be construed necessarilyas those of the editor, Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, or of the Catholic Church.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

A : e rea yare in Farewell, Loren of volunteers to help organize our every- Coming events day, weekly masses.You do not have to do Fr. Loren of Kolbe House has been a lot. We simply need individuals who transferred to Houma LA. We thank him volunteer to do SOMETHING. Any help is • May 13, Regional Conference heartily for all the selfless work he has appreciated so that those that are helping planning session done for us and for the love he has shown do not feel that they have to do • May 17, May Birthdays celebrated us through his work and his gentle EVERYTHING. Please give your leaders • May 17, Omega House benefit concert, questions that have helped keep us honest some respite. 8 pnat the Menil Collection in our social responsibilities. Best wishes, Loren, in your new assignment, and we • May 25, .Bobby and Jon's 40th hope you will be able to stay connected to 40 Marvelous anniversary celebration 2-5 flU us in your prayers. • June 29, Pride Mass, 1 pr Years!! • July 10-13, Dignity / USA Convention '97, in Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Regional So manr of those who hate us (and Boston, MA even some 0 us who harbor bits of self- Conference disdain) believe that our relationships are doomed to failure because we are Omega House Dignity will host the next Regional intrinsically disordered. Convention. There will be a planning OH, BUT HOW THE TRUTH IS Benefit session, Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 ~ at MORE MARVELOUS. We have in our the Dignity Center. Please bring your ideas Dignity family a couple who is celebrating for a most memorable conference of the this year Its 40th Anniversary of "An Evening of Art Songs and Arias" canmitmen.t May 17 will benefit Omega House, now in Mountain/Plains Region. Or call Kevin We have the opportunity to honor its 10th year of caring for medically with your thoughts. indigent patients with AIDS. The gala and celebrate the joined lives of Bobby bezins at 8 pn at the Menil Collection, and Jon on Sunday, May 25, 2-5 pr .. Bobby and Jon invite the Dignity 15I5 Sui Ross. Pride community to celebrate with them on that The concert will feature seven rising Sunday with a glass of wine, beer or young musicians, including sopranos Celebrations punch, cheeses, crackers, fruits, et al. Let Camile Zamora and Sharyn Pirtle, former us stand with tban and throw the lie into Houstonians now professional singers. Houston will celebrate Pride Week our detractor's faces. Maybe we will also Zamora and Pirtle are both gtfted with a night lime parade for the first lime expect more from our own relationships graduates of HSPV A. ever. Dignity Houston wants to continue too. The rest of the singers are national the success of our float last summer. This and international award wining soloists. year however we will need Christmas Selections will include favorite arias from lights, a 20-foot trailer and a generator for June Newsletter favorite operas and musicals. ilie lights. Haul out those lights; think of The concert is dedicated to the late this Christmas in June. Put your name on Subl1li'>'>ltlll dc.id] J1)C: \1,)\ 2+ Frank Logan, also an HSPVA vocal major the lights so we can return them to you. Public.uion d.ite: \1,)\ ~I graduate, one of nearly 390 persons With Also dust off that 20-foot trailer you use AIDS who have received hospice care at to haul groceries and the generator your Omega House since the facility opened in keep around for the next hurricane season. 1986. Let's make our float the epitome of light Video Operas To order concert tickets ($150 and which we think Dignity is. Dignity Houston/ Kolbe Project present $50), call 713-523-7110. The $150 ticket Dignity will host a Pride Mass on opera video evenings, these first Fridays, includes a reception with the performers June 29, 1 f1ll with an ice cream social. 7:00 pm.. at 1509 Fairview. (713-522- after the concert. 8182)

------May 2 Otello (Verdi) [un 6 Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Jul4 NO OPERA Aug 1 Carmen Jones (Bizet's Carmen via a Broadway re--do)

EDITORIALS

SAY WHAT?! real trouble,. look. at the history of • supporting domestic partnership govef!1IIlents intermingled with religion. benefits "[Buddhism is] sort of spiritual That ISwhy our constitution clearly opted autoeroticism." for separation. They have a history of the • actively encourage and promote same -Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, in the French most intolerant, biased, prejudicial and sex relationships toeeklu L'Express vengeance-filled . in the history of our then they deserve. our support and The editor requests sub missions offascinating quotes that ~um~ life on this planet. In my view this encouragement. Until that time Dignity members ma~ find c~mpelling for a monthly listing of IS an Idea whose time expired well over seems to be the best organization to get the these quotes In a special section of our netosletter. two hundred. years ago..• job done. Silence=Deafh .•••.

From the pen 0fGeorge Wetzel Mass for the Tension among Taking Gay/Lesbian Jews? Responsibility Community recent move by a group of Orthodox rabbis in Jerusalem suret sounds like a no-brainer to A to disenfranchise the many folks. Why not let a judge put nseveral areas of our great synagogues of the Reform and . Ia copy of the ten ronmandments country, local bishops have Conservative movement throughout the gIVento Moses on the wall of his Alabama .Iacti vely attempted to pursue the world has drawn worldwide interest courtroom. (If successful, there will be a lesbian/ gay community by arranging a:xnment and conflict. ' lot of copycat conversions?). specifically targeted masses on weekends. Orthodox rabbis in Israel have . Eve!, the governor of Alabama has Overall, this has all the outward authority over marriages, divorces and raised himself to the task of threatening to appearance of the breakdown of the conversions and other religious affairs in send in the National Guard and state silence that. more typically accompanies the .country. On the last day of March the troopers should anyone attempt to remove any discussion of sexuality issues In the Umon of Orthodox Rabbis has publicly the plaque. He said, "By defending his church. Is sanething new going on? Or, are stated that Reform and Conservative liberty we preserve freedom for all we seeing a rather cleverly packaged way movements were "not Judaism." Americans." to defang Dignity and leave them high and American Jews, primarily of the For the mrrent, let us overlook the dry? ~eformed and Conservative movement. ~onstitution's ban on promoting religion The bottom line, dear reader, is yours find themselves as a minor presence in In a government setting. to consider. Have any of the "welcoming" Israel, overwhelmed by a 4:1 ratio by the . L~t us look at where this "exception" overtures been accompanied by calls to Orthodox. Just might lead us. Would the judge, the exorcise "intrinsically disordered" as a This is clearly a problem that Jews governor, or the other self-proclaimed description of our community? In secular worldwide will nave to ponder. And it '~hristian activists" be as vocal if a judge org~mzations that is like appealing to appears to rre that it IS well worth WIth .anoth~r religions persuasion put up ~esblan/ gay .v0~ers and being silent on the watching to observe just how and when Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist etc. Issue of abohshing the sodomy laws in the they move toward its solution. plaques in their courtroom? Wo{ud a ~tate. Somehow I must have missed the It would be romantic to believe that black, brown, or red compexioned "god" IronJo:of Catholic bishops challerW,n~ the such a split could. ~eve~ happen in the be OK? Would the sex of God raise any legality of "sodomy laws" or criticizing Roman church but It IS highly unrealistic. qualms among those who were so public in the patently unfair practice of "don't aSK, The breadth and depth of the current their denunoations of keeping Hun out of don't tell" liberal/ conservative division appears to gov:ernment? Would the beliefs of atheists And domestic partnership benefits. be growing wider and deeper WIth each be JU.dgedby sec~lar judges? Would the Have the bishops taken the lead here, or strong conservative appointment from the Baptists agree WIth the Roman Catholics have ~ey been dragged kicking and Vatican. and the Anglican Catholics and the ~g to agree to a policy they are so Listen to your Jewish friends and Eastern Rite Catholics and the Greek obviously uncomfortable with? acqu';lintances as they describe this Orthodox Catholics and the Russian And coounitted relationships. Are the conflict to you. It may be a bit of a Orthodox on just who God is and what is bishops ready to bless same sex rehearsal of a similar battle closer to tI:te role of God in Public policy? Yeah, relationships or pretend, like the ostrich, heme ..• right! that they are of no force or function? Listen very carefully to the rhetoric, Enough, ch~~k the record. If bishops gentle readers, for the camel of religious who claim to welcome" lesbians and Ellen Comes Out, intolerance IS trymg to get its nose under gays to worship have a respectable record the protective tent of church-state on: So What? separation in our nation. Under the cloak • removing "intrinsically disordered" of religious persecution they are as a description of lesbians and gays. es, I watched "the show" on attempting to confuse and mislead the • abolishing state sodomy laws public to support the "right" to display ~BC the las~ day.of April (and the ten commandments. • openly questioning the validio/ or Y It was a first time VIewing). We all have that right and privilege- fairness of "don't ask, don't tell' What, really was all the fuss? in our homes, etc. But it you want to see page 2 The cover of Time, talk shows, major Many have spoken out with their Alley Theatre (615 Texas, 228-8421) The articles, interviews, lots and lots of opinions. Great. Watch what they say and Greeks, Parts I & II plays thru may 4; commentary. Wow! Is coming out really what they do. Listen to the silence of those opening may 9 Love, Valor, Compassion that novel? Has the television audience in who are afraid to speak. by Terrence McNally. the US of A proved far too intolerant and Honesty in relationships is amething Ensemble Theatre (3414 LaBranch, ignorant to accept the facts of human that only the truly self-righteous will 520-0(55) Two Trains Running by sexuality on our planet? counsel against. Listen to the comments of August Wilson plays thru June 1. Are the parents and children of those who are shocked and amazed that Houston Ballet (Miller Outdoor Theatre, television viewing audiences surprised Ellen came out. And, reflect on the twisted 5-BALLET) Mixed repertory program with the reality of homosexuality in logic and meres which value lying over May 8-10. 1997? Are the religious leaders who telling the truth, which value deception Houston Broadway Series (Wortham opposed this "roming out" aware that over candor, fear and hatred over Center's Brown Theatre) Smoky Joe's their fear, anger and frustration at sexual compassion and honesty. T Cafe by Leiber & Stoller opens May 27 honesty is obvious in their every act to thru june 1. conceal, deceive and mislead their Main Street Theatre (Chelsea Market, From the pen 0fBob Heer followers? 4617 Montrose, 524-6706) Hamlet by Will the American "family" really be Shakespeare (all-female cast) plays damaged by the truth of the diversity of Theatre Thoughts thru May 18; (2540 Times Blvd, 524- human sexuality? Will they not see and 6706) SIX Degrees of Separation by experience the humor of this coming out? Is and More John Guare plays thru May 18. the typical/average family unable to New Heights Theatre (339 W. 19th handle this information? Will they never ere we are into another month Street, "869-8927) Virgins and other learn or demand more of so-called and the variety of theatre Myths by Colin Marlin (a ore-man religious leaders who continue to preach, H presentations is quite varied. show with Randy Sparks) opens May teach and counsel only the most narrow Of prime interest to gays is the production 7 thru June 7. interpretation of what is acceptable of Terrence Mcblally's Love, Valor, Stages Repertory Theatre (3201 Allen human sexuality? As they pander 10 the Compassion at the Alley. Pkwy, 527-82B) Chili Queen by Jim fears and ignorance they have carefully A. D. Players (2710 W. Alabama, 526- Lehrer opens May 7 thru June 8. crafted- and waste no manent collecting 2721) The Dinry of Anne Frank by Theatre LaB Houston (1706 Alamo, 868- mooey from those fearful and frightened Goodrich & Hackett plays thru May 7516) Top of the Bottom Half by Liza souls to further their political agenda-do 18. Vann plays thru May 31. they quietly plot their "escape," like the Actors Theatre of Houston (2506 South Theatre Suburbia (1410 W. 43rd Street, cigarette industry, from the truth? Or plan Blvd. 229-6606) Return Engagements 682-3525) The Farndale Murder to wait several hundred years and then by Bernard Slade plays thru may 4. Mystery plays thru May 17. admit error, OOPS-like the Galileo Actors Workshop (1009 Chartres, 236- There you have it for this month. Get out heresy scandal? 1844) Latina by Milcha Sanchez-Scott and enjoy what suits you! T opens May 4 thru May 24. ~~~~~~~--~~~~~~~--~~~Dignity/USA: 1500 Massachusetts Ave,NW, Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005, ...... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::: 1-800-877-8797 . :~~~~\~~~\ ~~~~t) ~~~~~~~t ~~t ~; \ ;PIGNiTYi HOtr.$tQN~ OFFICER$~~~~~:~~~~ . Dignity/Ho1l8ton meets Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at ~~e~lt~~~~~)~•••••~:•••0r::·vni•g~Wf~~•~~id~B~jW~···) 1307 Yale, Suite H Houston, Texas 77008. (713) 880-2872 RbbertGiesber~ <96~98):: .••••••.•••.•:••.•••••••••••••.••.•••••• :.:•:'•:..::.•::.::::••:::.•:::..::.:i::•.•:::@:.:: :•.-..:¥':::M.~.•:..:•·.•8eC•.:;ms.••..•:'.:bcie..: :~•::.•rv!:•:t.:efu..:•:..•:::. •:::. •:::. : .:...•.re...,:d·p Sl ~Wen.~1tz(fl6?~l)i:::/H··l'" a ",.U ~ Mailing Address: Box 66821, Houston, TX 77266 Newsletter Address: 4520 Stanford Ct., Houston, TX 77041-8840 Newsletter e-mail: [email protected] Newsletter Phone/FAX: (713) 937-3310

Dignity / Houston is dedicated to the welfare of gay and lesbian Catholics and ~.]~~~~C~Atheir friends.~Articles published~win this newsletter;are;not iiinecessarily the opinion of the board of Dignity/Houston or the editor. Publication of names and/or T ru a ~~.•k.•..~:.•::.SO:.=-..•·.~:·r:;.:•/::i.:. J.:o.:·.:.:.•:.hn•:·...:::..•.: :i.: •.:::..: •....::·.:•.•:..:•:.~. ················:::··:·:·················:·StStE?Pheri's···· organizations in this newsletter should not be construed as indication of sexual orientation. Newsletter items may be mailed to the editor at the address above. rYi.~ri.ft~~...··iii:ii:i::t1~~~~1Jli Submissions should be kept to less than a column and a half per month per fJiJ1:). Siii'lg1e~Oi:i;¢(f~ti#••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Newsletter•••••••••••••· •••••••• person submitting. Depending on space availability, some articles may be edited. Advertising costs for business-card size ads is $10.00 per month, six ~r~a,r~~::i:I·.~TIm~~~~ill.~~~~ months for $50.00. Deadline for receiving articles is the 16th of the previous month. Membership: $40.00/year. Couples membership: $74.00/year

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(713) 520·8888oFax (713) 520·6124 7 0 4 H a \V t h o r n eSt r e e t ° H o U s t 0 n , T e x a s 7 7 0 0 6 ,~ r ~ ~.~ May 1997 ,~)f. 7Y l Dignity/Houston Center, 1307-H Yale, 713-880-2872 !~ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 2 3 MAY BIRTHDAYS MayDay 7pm Opera Video 7pm Sacrament of Reconciliation. "OtelIo" 7:30pm Dignity Mass I 15 - Fr. Bill T. at Kolbe House, 1509 Fairview St., 713-522-8182. 4 5 6 7 8 19 110 1 7 - 9pm Houston 6tll Sunday of Easter Cinco de Mayo Ascension ~ I 7:30pm Dignity Mass ~ 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. 6 - 8pm Womens' Pride Band Rehearsal. (Holy Day of IUJ Softball League Obligation) . Meeting, 7:30pm Cinema Night '11 12 b 14 15 116 117 Motller,s 7pm Regional confer-I 7 - 9pm Houston 7:30pm Board ~ ••.. Armed Forces Day ence Organization Pride Band Games at Mike •• • • • Day O'O.'s, •••. Meeting Rehearsal . 7:30pm Dignity Mass 11 793 Worthshire St., 713- • 869-4543. Birthdays Celebration after Mass. '*7tll Sundayrof Easter 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7 - 9pm Houston Pentecost Sunday 7:30pm Dignity Mass Pride Band II 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T. Rehearsal, ~~ 7pm Board Meeting i7:30pm Cinema Night 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Trinity Sunday 7 - 9pm Houston Pride Band 7:30pm Dignity Mass III 2 - 5pm Jon and Bobby's 40th ~ Anniversary Reception ~ iff Rehearsal. Memorial Day Deadline for input into (Observed) the next newsletter.

!\II events are at Dignity Center unless stated otherwise. Please bring non-perishable foods and' toiletries to Mass on Saturdays for Stone Soup. Newsletter July 1997

run for positions on the board of directors this September. DIGNITY ENTERS PARADE Three positions on the seven-member board are open. Each member serves for two years. Anyone interested in Once again, Dignity/Houston was a participant in running can contact Bob G. or any board member for more the annual Houston Pride Parade. This year's event was information. the first to be held at night, and our group was prepared with a colorful design consisting of rainbow lights covering the Dignity cross. After the parade, Gene and Bill G .. hosted an open-house for the participants. Thanks to all ' KOLBE CONSIDERING MOVE who worked on the float, especially Kevin, Mike 0., Mike G., Phil, Juan, Ronnie, Jim, Jon, Joel, and Bill M. The Kolbe Project could be forced to move its operations soon, according to Ralph Lasher, Executive Director. Landlords are considering whether to clear the entire neiqhborhood and build condominiums where the PRIDE MASS GLOWS . Kolbe friary and Kolbe House currently stand. The Friary house on Hyde Park would be transported to Heritage "Dim all the lights," used to sing, Park near downtown, while the Kolbe building on Fairview and that's exactly what happened at Sunday's Pride Mass would be demolished.' at the Dignity Center. A brown-out plunged the At press time, Kolbe officials had just been congregation into darkness just as Father Bill was informed of the possible move, and were considering their beginning his homily. Not to worry: Father Bill took a options. As a result, the monthly Friday night movies quick vote and decided to continue mass. Candles were have been put on hold indefinitely, but the Women's lit and placed around the room, bringing back images of Communion Service, which meets on the third Thursday the previous evening's Glowing With Pride parade, and of the month, will be held in July. (See events, page 3) electric fans were connected to a portable generator. . As it turned out, the power failure encompassed the entire block, but it did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance. All stayed until the end of mass, and most EDITOR SINGLETON RETIRES Dignity members quite a large number of visitors stayed afterward for the ice-cream social. Thanks to all those The board of directors of Dignity/Houston would who made Pride Week a success! like to express its sincere gratitude to Bob Singleton, editor of the newsletter, for ten years of outstanding service. Mr. Singleton generously offered to "help" put ELECTIONS APPROACHING together an issue more than a decade ago, and has been at the helm ever since. We at Dignity thank Bob for his tireless efforts, and wish him and Joe well as they plan to DignitylHouston is actively seeking candidates to enjoy some long overdue leisure time. F E A T u R E s

All members are encouraged to submit articles and news items for publication.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY George Wetzel

Not surprisingly, the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in June in that smaller city to our north has voted to "boycott" the Walt Disney Company and its subsidiary, the ABC television network,for their "promotion of the gay lifestyle." Of course, all of us are aware that Southern Baptists have never had any Lesbians or gay children, nor are there any gay Southern Baptist ministers, nor any Lesbian or gay members in their congregations. THEATRE THOUGHTS Yeah! Right! So what is going on behind all the headlines and MORE and attention-grabbing? In my opinion, they are in a fight to coerce Corporate America by intimidation and .. Bob Heer threatened boycott to come to its senses and deny the equality of Lesbian and gay human beings. If IBM . This month we· have attractions in air- offers "spousal benefits" to Lesbians and gay conditioned presentation houses and in the "great out- employees, then the Southern Baptists want them to of-doors" in Herman Park.·Take your choicel stop. The governing members of the Southern A. D. Players Baptist Convention want to intimidate the fairness won ·2710,W. Alabama, 713.526.2721 and punish those who disagree with their own peculiar The Cotton Patch Gospel: views on the role of religion in Corporate America. A musical by Chapen, Key & Trays. Southern Baptists would love to see IBM, Thru July 27. Apple Computer, Disney, ABC-TV, and Time-Warner reverse their fairness provisions to Lesbians and gay Actors Workshop employees and return them to the day when it was 1909 Chartres, 713.236.1844 completely acceptable to treat them as second-class The Invisible Man by Eddie Cope. citizens. And, make no mistake about it: many July 18 thru August 9. religions, unwilling to accept the findings of modern science and psychology about homosexuality would Alley Theatre rather risk public embarassment than accept Lesbians 615 Texas, 713.228.8421 and gay men as their peers. The Unexpected Guest by Agatha Christie. The Southern Baptists are not alone. One July 11 thru July 27. large denomination has tried to classify Lesbians and gays as "intrinsically disordered" in order to reduce The Company Onstage them to lower status. This is the path of all 536 Westbury Square, 713.726.1219 professional haters. Reduce their humanity and then Harvey by Mary Clark. you can justify any degree of abuse, prejudice, hatred, Thru July 26. contempt and worse. Am I kidding? Check out how slaves were defined by Southern Baptists or how Hitler Ensemble Theatre moved to reduce the "lower orders" by defining them 3414 LaBranch, 713.520.0055 as less than full human beings. Who Killed Hazel Patton? by Carl Anderson. Watch this story develop. Thru August 10. Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston DIGNITY EVENTS Wortham Center-Cullen Theatre, 713.627.3570 The Mikado. All at 1307 Yale unless otherwise noted. July 18 thry July 27. Catholic Mass each Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Houston Symphony Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park July 6 and July 20 Sunday 5:30 p.m. July 4 and 5. Sunday afternoon mass with Father Bill T. Main Street Theatre-Chelsea Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose, 713.524.6707 Falsettoland by Finn & Lapine. July 27 Sunday 12 Noon Thru July 19. Potluck brunch at Mike O'D's home, 793 Worthshire Main Street Theatre-Times (off 11th Street near T.C. Jester in the Heights). Call 2450 Times Blvd., 713.524.6707 Mike at 713.869.4543 for more information. The Woman in Black by Mallatratt. Thru July27. New Heights Theatre 339 West 19th Street, 713.869.8927 COMMUNITY EVENTS Me & Jezebe/by Elizabeth Fuller. Encore run thru August 9. July 17 Thursday 7p.m.

Theatre LaB Houston Kolbe Project, 1509 Fairview, will host a Women's 1706 Alamo, 713.868.7516 Communion Service which includes faith-sharing. , The Rink by Kander & Ebbs, Afterwards, all are invited for refreshments and from Clarance McNally's book. informal conversation. Women of all faiths are Thru July 27. welcome. For more information, contact Jane Seger at 713.621.1584, or the Kolbe Project at 713.522.8182. Theatre Suburbia' , ",'1410 West 43rd Street, 713.682.3525 The West Side Waltz by Ernest Thompson. July 19, , , : Saturday' Overnight. Thru July 5. The Rainbow Fishing Club will host its first overnight Threatre Under the Stars fishing:trip~boa~dthe 70 foot Texsun II, which sets sail ,: ',Miller Theatre, Hermann Park at 9 p.m.Baturday and returns at 6 a.m. Sunday. For 42nd Street by Warren & Dubin. more information, call 713.523.6381. July 16 thru July 26. Covered seating tickets available on ABOUT DIGNITY performance day - 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

There you have it for this month. Dignity/Houston is dedicated to the welfare of gay and Go out and enjoy! Lesbian Catholics and their friends. This newsletter is a publication through which members can share their news items, thoughts, and experiences. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, CLASSIFIEDS Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, or the Roman Catholic Please support our advertisers! Church.

Dignity Center 1307 Yale, Suite H Swilley fil Hudson in the Houston Heights .so. ..I,.:::SOCl.o\TES [SC. - :>':'.\LTORS: "'The Spirit of Excellence" Mailing Address: PhonelFAXllnfo: PO Box 66821 (24 hours a day) MIKE COMEAUX Houston, Texas 77266 713.880.2872 Realtor~/ Associate Residential &. Commercial Sales / Leasing Pager: (713) 490·2276 Publication of names and/or organizations should not be construed as an indication of sexual orientation. (7]3) 520-8R88-Fax (713) 520·5124 704 Hawthorne Street-Houston. Texas 77006 July 1997

~ Dignity/Houston Center, 1307-H Yale, 713-880-2872 ~

1 12 3 4 5 7 - 9pm Houston 7pm Sacrament of Reconciliation. Pride Band 7:30pm Dignity Mass Rehearsal. ~ [I Independence Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 - 8pm Womens' 7 - 9pm Houston 14tll SIlIl. ill Ordinary 7:30pm Dignity Mass Time Softball League Pride Band II Meeting. Rehearsal. 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T ~ 7:30pm Cinema Night I DI••••It.;IUSA Convention '97 In Boston. MA ---- 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7 - 9pm Houston 15tll SUIl. in Ordinary 7:30pm Dignity Mass l1me Pride Band II Rehearsal. ~ Birthdays Celebration after ,~, Mass. Difal!il:rIUSA conveniion'97 In Bos:) 7pmWBoard Meeting 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7 - 9pm Houston 16tll SUIl. in Ordinary 7:30pm Dignity Mass Time Pride Band II Rehearsal. 5:30pm Mass with Fr. Bill T

_ ..._ .._---- JULY BIRTHDAYS 27 28 29 30 31 ------l Zth SUIl. ill Ordinary 7 - 9pm Houston 9 - Bob Heer Time Pride Band 12 - Brent c. Rehearsal. 12noon Potluck Brunch at Mike 16 - Federico E. O.D.'s, 26 - Jean-Louis A. 793 Worthshirc St., 713·869·4543. - Victor L. All events are at Dignity Center unless stated otherwise. Please bring non-perishable foods and toiletries to Mass on Saturdays for Stone Soup.