NEWS DIGEST FROM
METRO TOLEDO'S CATHOLIC/CHRISTIAN'S FROM A GAY PERSPECTIVE
HOME PAGE:
NEWS FROM
DIGNITY USA: MARIANNE DUDDY-BURKE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Has moved DignityUSA to Medford, Ma 02155-0004,
(800)877-8797 Fax (781) 397 397-0584. Send your donation-National
membership check payable to DignityUSA at the above address. www.dignityusa.org
DignityUSA could sure use your help even though the Toledo organization
is in Limbo. $35 if you can please.
email
for info: at info@dignityusa.org
An
important court decision on Gay (SAME SEX APPROVED in
CALIFORNIA)Marriage
The question we (THE
Supreme Court) must address is whether, under these circumstances, the
failure to designate the official relationship of same-sex couples as
marriage violates the California Constitution. We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental
constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution
properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians,
whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex
couples.SCC
In California
the United States, Same Sex Marriage, gays will be able to get married. UP
TO DATE DECISION by the California Supreme Court decided today
voter-approved law banning homosexual marriage is unconstitutional. (FRIPRO
NEWS SERVICE)
This PROVES THAT the STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR YEARS ON THIS
WEB SITE IS A BASIC RIGHT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE Read the California Supreme Court's historic decision.
"The
basis of USA democracy is: The majority can not vote to remove the civil
rights from the minority".THOMAS EDWARD
FAIRBAIRN
Columbus--This year, the annual Pride
parade and festival is being held Saturday, June 25,2008 and
the Sponsors are expecting this to be bigger and better than last year’s
festival.
This year’s theme for Pride in Columbus
is “One.”
Stonewall Columbus, which sponsors the
event, is trying to emphasize the idea of “one family, one community, one
voice, one mission.” In light of last year’s passage of Issue 1,
Stonewall, like many other GLBT organizations around the state, are trying
to emphasize and rebuild the oneness of the GLBT citizens across Ohio and
even the United States.
Columbus’ gay Pride parade and festival
is traditionally the largest in the Ohio, and this year organizers are
expecting the crowd to cross the 100,000 mark, according to Kellye Pinkleton,
Stonewall’s director of programming. The parade too is expected to be
bigger with many more floats this year, including ones from other cities
from the region.
DAVID GOLDSMITH of
Bucyrus Ohio, who drove 100 miles one way to go to Dignity Toledo's Thursday
night service at St Marks, passed away in 2007. Dignity does not know
the particulars of his pass-on but he always backed Dignity at many of
the national or regional meetings. We all miss Dave a very kind and
gentle
person.(Dave is pictured on the left at Dignity's Convention in Grand
Rapids Michigan)
THE POPE'S VISIT TO USA.
From 1981 - 2005, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was appointed head of the
Catholic Church's Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose mission is to "to
promote and safeguard the doctrine on the faith and morals throughout
the Catholic world"; However, Dignity USA for GLBT (Gay) Catholics were
left out of the church, and this cardinal (now Pope Benedict XVI )was
very opposed to gay people. He just could not seem to see that his
Church is full of Gay Catholics, and he would not recognize them as good
Christian people (which we are). So if he wishes to rebuild the Church
he should start with recognizing hundreds of thousands of Gay Catholics
and their families and Children. He was relentless on this-thus loosing
a great part of his church's flock, forcing them to join protestant
churches.
DANNY R. FIELDS MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Danny passed away December 19, 2007 after eight years battle with
pulmonary disease. The service took place at St. Lucas* and Gene Hagedorn.
gave a moving eulogy to his passed on partner.. Luncheon followed at: Spaghetti Warehouse. Dan said: "throw
a party."
Dan and Gene were involved
with leadership planning for Decked Out Toledo one of the largest fund
raisers on the Willis B. Boyer ship, docked in downtown Toledo on the
Maumee river. It was a real yearly event that hundreds of Gay's Lesbians
and some straights had a great party.
*At St.
Lucas Lutheran: "We welcome and include people of all
races, Sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.
TOLEDO
OHIO, Richard L. Schrader (Uncle Dick) 1931-2008,passed away of
Prostrate Cancer Tuesday February 5, 2008. Dick was know among our
community as a leading Night Club owner among his nightclubs, was the
Blu Jean's Lounge, Beverly
Hills Cafe, and BJ Lounge. A time remembrance was held at
7pm. We at Dignity remember his last dinner outing with us, Our
30 years evening dinner and fellowship. Remember good times past. It was
held October 19, 2007, at the Spaghetti Warehouse
We were also belatedly
so very sorry to hear of the Death of Joe Hildabrand, may he rest in
peace. Joe was so well known for his support to the Dignity community
although he was not a member, he will be greatly missed.
TOLEDO
OHIO Domestic partnership registry approved byCity Council has approved an
ordinance making Toledo the first large city in Ohio to offer gay and
other unmarried couples the opportunity to register their relationship
with city hall. Under the ordinance approved late Tuesday, couples who
cannot or don’t want to marry can register their “domestic
partnership” with the clerk of city council. The purpose of the
registry is to create a centralized process that employers can use to
verify relationships when they offer benefits that typically are offered
for spouses and dependents. The measure passed 10-2, with Councilmen Rob
Ludeman and Joe Birmingham — both Religious Right Controled
Republicans and both set to leave office when their terms end this year
— casting the no votes. (FRIPRO NEWS SERVICE) Former
GLU merged with Equality Toledo sponsored this legislation.
THE CITY Will GREATLY BENEFIT. TO BE ELIGIBLE, BOTH
MEMBERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP Hetro or GAY OR LESBIAN, WOULD SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT STATING THE THEY ARE IN AN
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, AT LEAST 18, ARE NOT MARRIED TO ANYONE ELSE, AND
ARE NOT BLOOD. RELATIVES.
FOR A FEE OF $25. the
couple would obtain a certificate and a card to carry. The partnership
could be dissolved with a notice of termination filed by either party.
Neither could form a new partnership until the partnership has
been officially terminated or either party dies.
One point was not made
clear if the partners had to both be Toledo residence. If no residency
is required this could put Toledo on the Map world wide- I think that
the backers of this law should not make residency as a requirement.
(FRIPRO NEWS SERVICE)
Reunion
Dinner Held, Downtown,In Celebration of Dignity Toledo's 30th Anniversary
We joined Fr. Roland Calvert,
O.S.F.S. for an evening dinner and fellowship. Remember good times past.
It was held October 19, 2007 Dignity Toledo 1977 to 2007,30
years when Fr. Roland first said Mass for us. If
you can e mail yourweb master mementos or photos, were can all share.
Here is the 30th Anniversary dinner
13 men welcomed Fateher Roland, John
W.
Organizer
All Dignity and it
friends from all over the USA were welcomed
We DIGNITY Catholics,Toledo, and
their friends (GLBT)
owe Father Roland a great debt for serving DIGNITY TOLEDO for 30 years.
Thank you Father Roland.......
FROM THE GOOD OLD DAYS
.
(Quoted
from
the TAGALA news letter) * We are sorry that the
Dignity Page will no longer be carried by the TAGALA NEWS LETTER. John
(editor) has indicated that a Business card announcement will be made in
every TAGALA edition that refers the reader to this site. http://www.fripro'DIGNITYTOLEDO.htm
for future DIGNITY and news and event announcement.
BUY MY BOOKS AND HELP KEEP DIGNITY'S web site going
BOOK NUMBER
TWO: ORDER
SECURE: "LORDS of the CRESCENT paper back
novel" Here is a good gift for that guy or
girl, secure and written by me, your GLBT web master. In paper back:
"The Lords of the Crescent" a Scientific Historical
Novel". $14.95 +POSTAGE Tom
FAIRBAIRN AUTHOR
The Vatican Scape goating Of Gays For
Its Failures Is Immoral and Cowardly
"The Vatican says that celibacy is a gift of God.
With the policy in
this document it therefore also says that God does not give that gift to
gays. All gay priests are, in a single instant, rendered
second-class,
and now serve on borrowed time. According to the underlying
twisted
logic of the Vatican's vile document, neither their years of celibacy
nor their vocations to the priesthood could possibly be gifts of
God."
It is clear that our hopes that Pope Benedict XVI would
be a more compassionate and prophetic
church leader than Cardinal Ratzinger were completely misplaced.
Benedict XVI's Vatican has turned out to be near-sighted and
small-minded, its policies as short of the mark as his cassock was short
of the proper length on the day he was elevated to the papacy."
Phil Soucy
Director Communications
Lutherans Concerned/North America
Gay
priest resigns over Vatican policy
The chaplain at Minnesota's St. John's University quits his post, saying
he can no longer "represent, explain and defend" church
teaching on gays.
NOVEMBER 20TH., SUNDAY
AFTERNOON (3:30) 2006 ANNUAL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION DINNER, was
held at
DAVES's. Turkey was provided by the Chapter, Andrew did an outstanding
cooking job. Also Dave's hosting was excellent and he deserves a great
ovation from the members and their friends present. (Refer to the TAGALA for
future events *) . We all, have always enjoyed these holiday dinners
and mass. Come and meet old and new friends. The upstairs and
downstairs were well attended by DIGNITY Members and their friends.
(Including the man who has done much for Dignity Toledo Paul Kaltinbach. We
also thank Jim Woz for his great service to the Chapter and look to him in
the future to coordinate the Board actions as portend BOARD COORDINATOR.
TOM FAIRBAIRN web
master DIGNITY TOLEDO, FRIPRO NEWS) Please let me know if anyone is
sick or in need of help. I will relay it to the right person.
fripro1@ fripro.com
DIGNITY TOLEDO 28TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION*
was held Thursday, October
13, 2005,St. Marks
Episcopal Church 2272 Collingwood Blvd. FATHER Roland was the
celebrant. We welcomed Pat a new citizen of Toledo, from
Cincinnati Dayton area. He pointed out that our Dignity phone
number was disconnected.
Dinner followed
at 8:00 p.m. Gildas (Gay Bar and Banquet Restaurant, 1515 Laskey Road)
a 8 pm . The Dinner was delicious. Gilda was gracious. All
those that had made a reservation, were treated by an anomalistic donor
to dinner, canceling the $15 ticket price WOW!, to the surprised
of all 15 that attended! Thank you whom ever you are!
For further information on coming
events read Dignity's log on to
this web site. at http://www.fripro.com/DIGNITYTOLEDO.htm
In fact why not place this page in your "favorite" file for
future contact , as this site is now up to date
Don't forget the Men's coffee, most ever Tuesday eve
at 8:00pm refer to Dean, for a handout printed monthly schedule.
Held at a different home or place every week. Well worth the effort and comradely
OPEN E MAIL: TO DIGNITY TOLEDO: from Jeremy Stiles
at jeremystiles1@aol.com
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Jeremy Stiles. I am a graduate student in counseling at
Heidelberg College. I am enrolled in my last year of formal
training. My reason for writing your organization is to expand my
knowledge and awareness of the Gay/Lesbian Bisexual community. I am
looking to volunteer time to your organization over the next few
weeks that would total around 10 hours.The goal of this experience
is to increase my knowledge of the issues/problems that are
encountered, and use this experience to hopefully increase of any
potential clients I may have in the future.The point of this
experience is to merely interact with members of your organization,
not to provide any counseling. I would be happy to volunteer in any
way possible. Thank you very much, Jeremy Stiles
Toledo' Ohio's St.
Mark's Episcopal Church: Dignity's
Thursday night home mass for years thank you St Mark's.
Another past DIGNITY
(GAY PRIDE MASS)
AND SOCIAL EVENT
was held THURSDAY JUNE 9, 2005
at 8:00pm. Dignity Toledo celebrated the last of its regularly scheduled
Masses. There will now be a summer hiatus, we will schedule Masses and
social, in the coming year on a seasonal basis,no longer at St. Mark's Episcopal Church 2272 Collingwood Blvd (Near
Bancroft or elsewhere.)
Father Roland Calvert in a
prime article in the TAGALA News Letter of June 2005 has indicated the above
plans for Dignity services. He has also indicated Dignity Toledo will
continue to exist and serve the GLBT community. He goes on to say that it is
necessary to reconsider how we can do this most effectively! Dignity Toledo
and USA have always been a social and educational organization as well as a
spiritual one, and we hope to continue functioning in all these ways.
Father Roland also said that the struggle within the church and society for
the greater human rights is a slow and difficult one, and we intend to be
part of that struggle for many more years to come. God bless you.
UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST 1.5 MILLION STRONG. Vote to affirm equal marriage
rights for couples regardless of gender and says that the government should
not interfere with same-sex couples who want to marry. It calls on
denomination officers to press local, state and national legislators to
support equal marriage rights.
TOLEDO
OHIO USA. "Logo"
is
the new gay and lesbian cable TV network being launched on June 30th
throughout the country. It is a free channel to anyone who subscribes
to basic cable (like MTV, VH1 or Comedy Central), but BuckeyeCable(in
Toledo, is not carrying it yet. Call
BuckeyeCable at (419) 724-9800 and tell them that you want them to pick upLogo . The more calls, the more
likely we'll get it.
COLUMBUS
OHIO USA PRIDE FESTIVAL High point of a full month This year, the annual
Pride parade and festival is being held Saturday, June 25 and the sponsors
are expecting this to be bigger and better than last year’s festival.
year’s theme for Pride in Columbus is “One.” Stonewall Columbus, which
sponsors the event, is trying to emphasize the idea of “one family, one
community, one voice, one mission across the whole State.” It looks like
Toledo is taking a back seat this year so why not go to Columbus and have a
great time.
TOLEDO
EXPRESS AIRPORT 180 FIGHTER WING (THE FIRST AND ONLY WING THAT SCRAMBLED TO
CHASE THE 911 TERRORIST ATTACK) MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP OHIO---will stay
at Toledo Express Airport, and expand. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was
briefed by Pentagon officials this morning, and says the 180th
Tactical Fighter Wing will avoid closure that will happen to other
bases around the country. will retain its F-16 fighter planes, and get 9
more planes when other F-16 bases around the country are closed. It
would also get 126 new jobs, 14 military and 112 civilian. The TOLEDO METRO
GAY community is elated.
CARDINAL
JOSEPH RATZINGER Pope BENEDICT XVI (of GERMANY) IS THE NEW POPE: AS I
THOUGHT prior, with you FATHER ROLAND, he might be the new pope!
She was invited by
Cardinal Rat zinger) to sit with him (for a short talk on Church Doctrine
and her thoughts on an airplane( that they both just happened to be on) and
she had a chance to speak with him frankly (but he did not give in, to her
request, but he was very considerate ) So you can bet it will be business as
usual for the GLBT community within the Catholic Church - no surprises, and
I refer you to our thoughts in METRO TOLEDO DIGNITY at: DignityUSA Sees Challenge Ahead in New Papacy
SHORTLY THERE AFTER
(about one year) Royal Oak, Michigan,
26 January 2005------ A Roman Catholic nun (Sister Jeannine)
who has dedicated her work to
creating communication and dialog within the church on the subject of
homosexuality and acceptance of gays and lesbians has been barred from a
Royal Oak Catholic Church facility, along with the group that had invited
her and a local gay rights organization.Sister Jeannine Gramick, who will be
in Metro Detroit for a weekend screening of a documentary based on her work,
was to be the guest at a reception in her honor hosted by Call to Action of
Michigan, (Sr. Jeannine was guest speaker at Dignity Toledo 25th ann.
dinner)
MSNBC
INTERVIEWS: Sister Jeannine Gramick (of
New Way Ministries co-founder) was interviewed on MSNBC by Crist Mathews
show April 20, 2005, she made a statement: " She believes that the
Bishops should be invited to claim their authority and listen to the
congeniality of the People. She is a stanch supporter of
homosexuality rights and acceptance of gays and lesbians into the Church,
and urge the church, "not to destroy congeniality". She urge
every one to: "Love one another, and follow ones consciences.
NEW
YORK NEW YORK Roman Catholic gay-rights activists don't expect
a new pope to suddenly scrap the church's condemnation of homosexuality, but
they do hope cautiously for a softening of stern Vatican rhetoric and an
acceleration of grass-roots moves in some U.S. parishes to make them feel
more welcome. Mary Lynn Murphy, a Minneapolis activist, is president of the
Twin Cities' Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, SHE said:
"I feel I sell out my GAY son by participating in church rituals when
we're still encumbered by official language referring to him as
'intrinsically disordered.'" she said. "I can't embrace that
platform."
(Refer: POPE BENEDICT XVI More Photos etc. NEW
YORK TIMES
THE
POPE HAS DIED, AND HE WAS TRULY A GREAT POPE, BUT: The
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Gay-Straight Alliance (GLBT-GSA) people
took the brunt of his senseless mean-spirited attacks. We call on the next
Pope to educate himself, and come out and dialogue with Gay Catholics. The
next Pope should talk to Gay Catholic Leaders an priests, as his precedent
did not. Truly, "John Paul II, was a great Pope, as a Champion of human
freedom," said George Bush. Even though he did not take that approach
in our community! We all pray for him (with respect) in his death.
(FRIPRO NEWS)
MORE
Massive Day of Protest was held at Boston College
by Rev. Oscar Lucion
15 Apr 2005
Modified: 06:05:02 PM
Over 1,000 students, professors and
administrators gathered in support of ending discrimination against
members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender (GLBT)
community at Boston College. As student organizers called for a
university strike, hundreds of students opted not to attend classes,
with dozens of professors expressing their solidarity by canceling
their sections. .University President, Fr. William Leahy REJECTS the
students request at the Jesuit (Catholic) College
TERRI
SCHIAVO, 41, Dies in Fla. Hospice. POWER, MONEY, GREED, SELFISHNESS,
RELIGION, sent her there. Don't think for one moment they won't do it to
you! My GLBT (Gay) friends. This is your fight, your spouse does not have
any right over your selfish relatives. Let this be a wakeup call for us all;
to, fight now hard for your civil rights - less who knows! And now the POPE!
He could have helped us all, but did not! (FRIPRO NEWS
EDITORIAL)
Hundreds
Attend Funeral Of Gay Man Refused Catholic Rite
(San Diego, California) More than 500 people turned out for the
funeral of a gay man refused a service anywhere in San Diego's Roman
Catholic diocese.Bishop Robert Brom’s edict
prohibiting a Catholic Church burial reeks of the continued abuse of the gay
community by the Roman Catholic Church, and it is inexcusable. It would seem
that Bishop Brom has forgotten the Corporal works of mercy: The traditional
enumeration of the corporal works of mercy is as follows:
To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To harbour the harbourless;
To visit the sick;
To ransom the captive; To bury the dead.
BOSTON
MASS: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Guess what folks our own Mayor Ford
of Toledo Ohio (Who is one of our great supporters) addressed the
Democratic Convention at 4:15 pm Thursday July 29 2004, and our
own Louis Escobar (President of the Toledo City Council was also there
in the Ohio Delegation, and I saw him on Television's 'C Span' (Hi
Lou! We at Dignity are very proud of you) FRIPRO
NEWSEDITORIAL. Speak
out against the Federal Marriage Amendment The
time to act is now. The future of civil marriage equality for
same-sex couples hangs in the balance now more than ever before! Don't let our opponents drown us out
on the proposed Constitutional amendment on marriage. We need to
make sure that during the month of December, Congress hears from us more
than our opposition. Send
a message -- its easy at: HRC
Action
Center
New
Papal Assault On Gay Marriage
(Vatican City) Pope John Paul Saturday urged American Catholic leaders to
step up their opposition to same-sex marriage.
BOSTON MASS.USA. The
Roman Catholic church leaders in Massachusetts are reportedly considering
firing gays and lesbians who work for the Church and marry same-sex
partners. It would involve people in jobs ranging from teachers in
Catholic schools to janitors in churches to workers in Catholic aid
agencies. (This is Outrageous, write your bishop now, the church may as
will add the priests and sisters also, then the last one out can shut off
the vigil light!). CATHOLIC
CHURCH OFFICIALS GONE MAD!
LAS
VEGAS NEVADA USA. Dignity USA Responds to Vatican Attacks The gay Catholic
organization, Dignity, concludes an annual meeting with a statements of
anguish and defiance in response to harsh anti-gay attacks
from the Vatican. Datalounge
HEADLINE DIGNITY USA. A
group of gay Catholics, plans a mass blessing of same-sex unions in Las
Vegas Sunday, Aug 10, 2003. The action comes a week after the Vatican
condemned the practice.
Story: Planetout.
Next meeting
DIGNITYS
MASS AND SOCIAL EVENTS are no longer being held, due to many
reasons. However we all celebrated at:
We met for over 25 years on the second Thursday's evening of every month, 8:00pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church 2272 Collingwood
Blvd (Near Bancroft. However Dignity Toledo no longer meets in
Metro Toledo Ohio. Our membership passed away, left town or became
inactive, but, we all still remember Dignity Toledo and still get
together once a year for a reunion.
DIGNITY TOLEDO CELEBRATED it's 26th anniversary
on Thursday eve. Oct 2, 2003 Mass at 6:30pm St.
Marks Episcopal, and Dinner out at Spaghetti Warehouse. A great turn out
was had and enjoyed , the food was great, with good service.42 S. Superior
St."
Note: Chuck N finished last leg of his Cross
country Bicycle trip (coast to Coast) He is doing fine He tells us his rear hurts from sitting on the
saddle. Seattle to Delaware --How about that for a record! (3,200 miles)
He returnned after eight weeks to Toledo about Aug 15, 2003
Any one that would like to sponsor the
Next Owl's Social e mail fripro1@fripro.com for
more info. (Bring a favorite DISH (FRIEND) to share)) HA!
JUST KIDDING the Owl's have flown away!
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/7093
A leading Catholic cardinal has repeated the Church's opposition to the
legal recognition of same-sex relationships, warning of the "grave
risks" associated with expanding marriage rights.
Despite his comments at last week's International Symposium of the Martín
Azpilcueta Institute of the University of Navarre, Cardinal Zenon
Grocholewski did also speak out against discrimination aimed at lesbian
and gay people, repeating the Catholic belief that it is the sin which is
rejected, rather than the sinner.
Despite this, the polish leading Church figure, who is the Prefect of the
Congregation for Catholic Education, said that it was impossible to draw
comparisons between the institution of marriage and same-sex
relationships.
When you think of Christians (CATHOLICS),
what do you think of? While the religion promotes love, I would
imagine that many of you have had experiences that lead you to view
Christianity in a different light. This is particularly common when it comes
to the issue of homosexuality.
I will not deny that much has been done in the name of
Christianity that has hurt members of the GLBT community. Certainly, there
has been defamatory speech, isolation and even violence in the name of
Christianity. These actions are carried out by those who claim that we are
to love others as ourselves. Jenni Madden, associate campus pastor at Chi
Alpha Christian Fellowship, said she thinks that many Christians try to
judge people because “they forget that it’s Jesus’ job to do that.”
I cannot undo the damage that has been done already, but
I would like to reinforce Ms. Madden’s view that Christians should not
judge people, and should instead leave that up to Jesus. More: To God, sexual orientation is irrelevant
THANKSGIVING
DINNER CELEBRATION AGAIN TOOK PLACE 11/21/04 SUNDAY 4 PM,
AT DAVE M's
home (Off Sherbrooke between Monroe and Berdan) Was a great success
many wonderful dishes Turkey provided by Chef Andrew and it was the
best (All our MISC Men's Information and Social Club (MENS
COFFEE) members shared dinner with us. Also some supporting friends
were invited. (Note this was an alcohol
free event).
DIGNITY/Toledo's 27
ANNIVERSARY -- meeting WAS HELD THURSDAY
DECEMBER 9th ,
2004 Celebrating DIGNITY/Toledo's 27 anniversary
celebration. Father Roland said Mass of Celebration at 6:30 PM at St. Marks Collingwood
Blvd., In the Old West End. Celebration Dinner was held at Spaghetti Warehouse at
8:00 PM. WE ordered off the menu. Conversation was great and enjoyed
by all. The place was crowded with interesting people!
ORLANDO
FLORIDA USA Unfortunately, the decision to discriminate is no
surprise.The
Evangelical
Lutheran
Church
in
America (ELCA)
is now firmly aligned with the Roman Catholic Church and every Protestant
denomination (except the United Church of Christ) in their determination to
make outcasts of God’s Gay children.
Worse, these same religious leaders have now gained enough political and
legal clout to superimpose their anti-homosexual views on the entire
nation.
Pope
Tells Protestant Churches To Bar Gays(Vatican City) Pope John Paul
on Saturday warned Protestant churches that liberal views toward
homosexuality would result in the Vatican withdrawing from ecumenism. This
Pope really practice what he preaches (Or is it Cardinal Ratzinger)
WASHINGTON
DC Falwell Plans Army To Battle Gays Note: Toledo Blade
Ohio USA. The Blade reported YESTERDAY, that in the medium size city of
Toledo Ohio there were reported on Wed Nov. 10th. six marriages, against 75
divorces and 25 desolations! (That Six marriages to 100 divorces in the
straight world!) How does President Bush and his backer Jerry Falwell
justify a constitutional amendment for marriage between a man and a women
when the straights can not even stay married? Evangelist Jerry Falwell is
organizing battle plans for what he calls an "evangelical
revolution." Falwell told the Associated Press.: The Massachusetts
Supreme Court allowing gay marriages "helped energize our
people,"
**********************************
Media Alert: November 12, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt
Cell 717-278-0592
**********************************
(Lynchburg, VA) - In response
to continued attacks against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
(GLBT) individuals and couples, over 50 Soulforce volunteers from as far
away as Hawaii and Seattle, will gather in Washington, DC November 14 –
17, in protest of the Roman Catholic’s spiritually violent rhetoric
against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people. The
purpose of this direct action is to try to dialogue with Catholic Bishops,
change their hearts and minds regarding homosexuality, and beseech them to
stop the spiritual violence perpetuated by Roman Catholic religious
policies, teachings and anti-gay rhetoric against GLBT people.
Roman Catholic Caucus
Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement
PO Box 24632 9 November 2004
London E9 6XFMass
initiated by the Archdiocese of Westminster to attract lesbian and gay
Catholics, as well as people with HIV/AIDS, with "an opportunity to
discuss pastoral needs in the context of the Church's teaching",
planned for the same day, gathered less than one dozen people, including
priest and parish staff.
Soho's lesbian and gay
Catholic community, meeting at St. Anne's Church, Dean Street, also
received feed-back at the Mass from a recent Mass Review Questionnaire.
Supported by professional marketing expertise, the Questionnaire was
distributed to all worshippers attending the Masses in September 2004. A
very high response rate of well over 50% was received - according to
experts, normally a self completion questionnaire would have only a 20-25%
completion rate. Levels of satisfaction were extraordinarily high, with
one person commenting "How do you improve on perfection?"
Anti-gay
Belgian cardinal dies
A Catholic cardinal who angered many around the world by calling most gay
people sexual perverts has died, church officials in Belgium said on
Tuesday.
Minneapolis
Minnesota The Vatican has ordered a Minneapolis church to end its
outreach program to the GLBT community. St. Joan of Arc is known
throughout the Midwest as a welcoming church for gays and lesbians.
But, the Vatican sees the program, which includes Gay Pride material on
its website, as a violation of Church doctrine. The order to end the
program was delivered in person to Rev. George Wertin of St. Joan's by two
bishops. It was later reiterated in a statement issued by the
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Join Soulforce for a
National Call for Prayer and Vigils at local Catholic Chanceries, November
9, 2004
On November 9, 2004, all
across the nation, people of faith were standing vigil outside local
Catholic Chanceries to denounce the leadership role the Catholic hierarchy
has taken to deny gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals
their equal civil rights under the law.
Several licensed local group
affiliates of Soulforce, Inc have already indicated a desire to
participate, and are writing to their local bishops in hope of
establishing dialogue with the bishop, prior to standing vigil in front of
the chanceries. These local groups include: Albuquerque; Detroit;
New York City; San Francisco; Atlanta; Washington, D.C; Oklahoma;
Wisconsin; Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh.
If you do not live in one of
the areas supported by a local group* and feel called to participate, we
encourage you to write a letter to your bishop (www.usccb.org/dioceses.htm)
and send a copy to Kara@soulforce.org
. Please indicate if we can put your letter on our website.
BOSTON MASS> USA Guess what folks our own Ex-Mayor Ford of Toledo Ohio (Who is one of our great supporters) addressed
the Democratic Convention at 4:15 pm Thursday July 29 2004, and our
own friend Louis Escobar
(ex-President of the Toledo City Council was also there in the Ohio
Delegation and WE all saw him on Television's C Span (Hi Lou! We at
Dignity were very proud of you)
BOSTON
MASS. BISHOP CALLS FOR GAY PRIEST BAN Gays should be banned from serving as
priests in the Roman Catholic Church an Indiana bishop says. Bishop John D'Arcy
of Fort Wayne and South Bend was in Boston to attend Mass at Our Lady of the
Presentation Church, in the Brighton neighborhood where he grew up. The
Church should think twice on this issue, as the Gay priest are very dedicated
and most are fervent Catholics. If gay priest are ban the church will fall
apart. What ever happen to Christ's teachings - " love one another".
OPEN LETTER TO THE
PRESIDENT OF THE USA FROM THE STRAIGHT SPOUSE NETWORK.Statistics suggest that up to two million gay men and lesbians in the
United States have married persons of the opposite gender in the belief that
the only way to achieve a loving committed relationship and a family is to
enter the traditional form of marriage espoused by their family, community,
or faith-based congregation. In so doing, most deny, ignore, or leave
unquestioned their same-gender attractions. Eventually, those feelings can
no longer be suppressed. After a painful struggle between fidelity and
truth, love and deception, many come out to their heterosexual wives and
husbands. In the majority of cases, the couples divorce, leaving broken
families and single parents across the country. Thus, the gay or lesbian
spouses' attempt to commit to a heterosexual marriage endorsed by society
ends up hurting not only themselves, but also their wives or husbands and,
most importantly, their children. If the Constitution were amended to
codify marriage as being only between a man and a woman, these painful
stories of closeted marriages and family breakups would multiply. (Why do
you think that the divorce rate is 50%+ in the USA?).
MORE:
A
TYPICAL EXAMPLE FROM TORONTO ONTARIO CANADA FURTHER
REFERENCES STRAIGHT SPOUSE NETWORK
WashingtonDC Action at USCCB November 14-17, 2004
For
the 5th year in a row, Soulforce supporters will be standing vigil in front of
the Hyatt Regency in
Washington
DC
during the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops annual meeting.
As you are probably aware, the USCCB has been at the forefront of the push for
the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment to write discrimination into the
Constitution, and the Pope continues to issue statements condemning gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Join us in working to change
the hearts and minds of the Bishops, and empowering gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) people to stand up against their own oppression. You
can find out more information about the Roman Catholic Church policies and the
action at the USCCB annual meeting at www.soulforce.org/denomination/rc
VERMONT USA. The Episcopal Church's task force
has develop new ceremonies for gay wedings. Vermont's are the only ones that carry legal weight because the state's civil union law permits couples to be joined by clergy, said Vermont Bishop Thomas C. Ely, "This signals a valuing of the commitment and presence of gays and lesbians in our churches and an ongoing commitment to the fact that when we say the Episcopal Church welcomes you,
we mean it," he said. NEW YORK TIMES (Seems like the
Catholic Church has a lot to learn - FRIPRO NEWS)
NEWS WORTHY EDITORIALS -- ENGLEWOOD
COLORADO. Just days after President George W. Bush met with the Pope
and called on the Pontiff to encourage bishops to take a hard-line stand on
same-sex marriage. (story) Roman Catholic bishops from across the country meet this
week in Colorado to consider what sanctions, if any, they should impose on
candidates who do not follow church teachings on gay marriage and abortion.
Bush reportedly implored the Pope to increase Catholic condemnation of gay
marriage in the weeks leading up to the election. Bush "43" should
not use his office and religion to influence the National Election, And the
Catholic church must stay out of our bedrooms and the election. CATHOLIC
CHURCH AND BUSH"43" INTERFERING WITH USA ELECTIONS!
Editors Note: "It is just unprecedented for a president
to ask for help from the Vatican to get re-elected, and that is exactly what
this is," the Rev. Barry W. Lynn told the New York Times. Even
liberal Catholics said they were shocked. "For a president to try to get
the leader of any religious organization to manipulate his fellow clergymen
to support a political candidate crosses the line in this country,"
Linda Pieczynski, a spokesperson for Call to Action, a Catholic advocacy
group, said.
MILWAUKEE WIS. USA. Call to Action national
conference will be held Nov. 5,6,7, 2004 . If interested in going to this call
on the Catholic Church to change it ways in America go to their web site at http://www.cta-usa.org
BOSTON MASS.USA. The
Roman Catholic church leaders in Massachusetts are reportedly considering
firing gays and lesbians who work for the Church and marry same-sex
partners. It would involve people in jobs ranging from teachers in Catholic
schools to janitors in churches to workers in Catholic aid agencies. (This
is Outrageous, write your bishop now, the church may as will add the priests
and sisters also, then the last one out can shut off the vigil light!). CATHOLIC
CHURCH OFFICIALS GONE MAD!
TOLEDO OHIO USA. TOLEDO'S
largest premier GLBT event. Party and Dance under the stars, was held on
the River Walk, at the Erie Street, Market Downtown Warehouse District.
Saturday June 12, 2004, 5:30 pm. Fabulous Eats, were had under a large tent.
and at 7pm there was the rainbow flag raising ceremony prior to the start of
the 7:30 PM Dance. Lavish Tables of Food, Refreshing Liquid Libations, and
Pulsating Tunes all Night Long till 1 am! Toledo's Mayor Jack Ford
addressed hundred plus people on the river walk, where in he stated that if
the GLBT community wanted to get things passed by Toledo Government, they
should tell the people on the Council what it is they are interested in
seeing Toledo put into law. Also three GLBT Community Pride Awards were
given to Dean Riggs, Marie Sienkowski, and the Brenda Spurlin for their
contributions to the Metro Toledo GLBT community. FOR MORE INFORMATION
REFER TO: Toledo's GLU'S "DECKED OUT"
PREMIER EVENT
Lutherans
Oppose Anti-Gay Amendment
(Chicago, Illinois) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has joined a
growing number of religious groups opposing a constitutional amendment to bar
same-sex marriage.
SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA. DIGNITY USA HAS STARTED A
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER AND THE ADVOCATE
TO: Mark the June 4th anniversary of the Vatican's broadside against
legal reconization of the unions between homosexual persons, to give a
face to our families. Dignity Seattle chapter members Patty Dolan and
Paula Hills stepped forward saying: "Our family is
very happy to be part of this project. We love Kerry and Keegan
very much and are raising them in a loving, caring, Christian home.
How is that violence? People need to know that the worries and
concerns faced by same gender parents while raising their children are
no different than those faced by different gender parents". PHOTO
of Kerry, Keegan, Patty and Paula at: DignityUSA Marks First Anniversary of Vatican Statement on Same-Sex Unions with Celebration of Gay Families "
HARTFORD CONN. USA. Advocates for gay and lesbian
Catholics met for two hours with Archbishop Henry J. Mansell on Monday, calling
for an end to what they called "violent language" from church leaders
directed at gays and lesbians, and asking for full participation in the life of
the church. MORE
ON THIS AND THE NEGATIVE CATHOLIC ANSWER
St. Paul Minn. USA. More than 1,500 faithful participated
in a Roman Catholic mass Friday celebrated by Archbishop Harry Flynn and
five of the seven U.S. cardinals. Everything went off without a problem at
the Cathedral of St. Paul. Three Twin Cities gay rights groups had
promised to protest the church's teaching about homosexuality and the fact
that at least one of the cardinals present at the mass has refused
communion to gay Catholics in his diocese.
However, about two dozen members of Dignity Twin Cities,
Soulforce of the Twin Cities and Rainbow Sash Alliance, all wearing
rainbow-colored sashes over their clothing, received communion during the
mass without incident.
The mass was part of a fundraising campaign for Catholic
University of America, the only Vatican-chartered institution of higher
learning in the United States. It was followed by a brief reception on the
cathedral grounds and then a $1,000-a-plate dinner with more than 500
people at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Friday marked the
first time such a group of cardinals had been in the Twin Cities for this
kind of event.
DIGNITY'S
Annual Thanksgiving
Dinner WAS held at David's
beautiful home in West Toledo, Nov. 23, 2005, 3pm. IT WAS A GREAT TURN
OUT, WITH NEARLY 40 MEN ATTENDING. THE DINNER WAS FABULOUS.
ALSO THE MASS BY FATHER ROLAND CALVERT, WAS INSPIRING TO MANY
CHRISTIANS. (AS LUTHERAN'S , CATHOLICS AND OTHER GATHERED TOGETHER,TO
GIVE THANKS FOR OUR MANY BLESSINGS.) THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF THE
"KING OF KINGS" AND WHAT IT MEANT TO VARIOUS CHRISTIANS. THE
DISCUSSION REVOLVED ABOUT THE NIACIN CREED (THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
VATICAN AND THE EASTER RITE CATHOLICS. (THE FATHER THE SON AND THE HOLY
SPIRIT) IS THE "KING OF KINGS THE SON OF GOD, THE LUTHERAN'S SAID
YES -- AGREED BY FATHER ROLAND ALSO. (THERE IN LIES THE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN THE EASTERN RITE (THEY SAY NO) AND THE VATICAN -- SEEMS LIKE
THEY OUGHT TO AGREE ON THIS ONE?
DEMOINES IOWA USA. A
SPECIAL TREAT, The DeMoines Gay Men's Choir sang the National Anthem at the
Jefferson-Jackson Day (Democratic) Dinner where seven thousand people, the
nine presidential candidates and Mrs. Hilary Clinton, gave them a great ovation. FRIPRO news
TOLEDO
OHIO USA The Detroit Together Men's Chorus presented their program at St.
Marks in Toledo (Dec. 14 3pm) and also in Livonia Michigan (Dec 6, 2003
7:30 pm.
DIGNITY TOLEDO
CELEBRATED it's 26th anniversary
on Thursday eve. Oct 2, 2003 Mass at St. Marks at 6:30pm and Dinner out at Spaghetti Warehouse. 42 S. Superior
St.". There was a good turnout.
Brian
Foos from Dignity Detroit, performed and organ recital on Sunday Oct
26 ,2003 at 4pm at St, Charles Church,Toledo Ohio, at Airport highway
and Detroit Ave.
Tom
Fox, NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER (NCR) publisher
As a journalist, I avoid
joining organizations. However, I recently felt I had to make an
exception. My wife and I earlier this month became members of
DignityUSA (www.dignityusa.org).
We felt a need to do something more visible in our support for gay and
lesbian Catholics.Gays still face considerable discrimination, not least
in the Catholic church. the nation's Catholic bishops, citing
Catholic teachings, overwhelmingly approved a statement urging states to
withhold recognition for same-sex marriages.
They insisted they did not
intend to offend homosexuals and called discrimination against gays
unjust. However, they added they had an obligation to "give
witness to the whole moral truth" and reinforce Catholic teaching
that gay sex is a sin.The church teaches that sexual acts must be
capable of leading to biological procreation. All other sexual
acts are intrinsically immoral. On this, however, the bishops have
separated themselves from the ranks of most Catholics, including married
heterosexual couples who use contraceptives and who have come to see
sexual intimacy as broader
expression of Christian faith, hope and love.
WASHINGTON
DC Soulforce leaders today publicly announced plans to
protest and vigil November 9 -13, 2003 outside of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for the fourth year in a row. The
demonstrations will again take place at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol
Hill,
400 New Jersey Avenue NW
, in Washington D.C, beginning Sunday, November 9 from
3 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.Vigils will continue
Monday – Thursday, starting at
7 a.m.
each day.The
purpose of the demonstrations is to protest the escalation of Catholic
anti-gay policies and teachings, the expulsion of gay Catholics from the
Church, and the Church’s support of an anti-gay “marriage”
amendment to the US Constitution that would deny same-gender couples and
families the same protections afforded to families headed by
mixed-gender couples. Soulforce
News
LAS
VEAS NEVADA USA. Dignity USA Responds to Vatican Attacks The gay
Catholic organization, Dignity, concludes an annual meeting with a
statements of anguish and defiance in response to harsh anti-gay attacks
from the Vatican. Datalounge
Note: Chuck N finished
his 3,200 mile Cross country Bicycle trip (coast to Coast). Seattle to
Delaware How about that for a
record! He is now home --welcome home Chuck! 3,200 mile on a bike! WOW!
Here it is Oct 15 , 2007 And he is still at it.
FRIENDS"
Dignity Toledo 25th AnniversaryCook Book
still on sale $6.00 They make great gifts -- see Dignity Members,
_______________________
_____________________________________
School
Refuses To Accept Child Of Lesbian Moms
(Eugene, Oregon) A lesbian couple is suing a Eugene, Oregon Catholic
school and church after the school refused to enroll their daughter
because the Vatican disapproves of gay relationships.
A unanimous Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the phrase "under God" may remain in the Pledge of Allegiance as recited in public school classrooms. But the Flag Day decision fell far short of the clear endorsement of the pledge's constitutionality that President Bush and leaders of both parties in Congress had sought.NEW
YORK TIMES
Vatican
Opens New Anti-Gay Marriage Front
(Vatican City) The Vatican is set to release a new treatise on the
family in advance of the US election that calls gay marriage
"unchristian" and says working women are neglecting their
families.
Vatican:
Feminism blurs sexes, helps gays Vatican made public on
Saturday a pamphlet it sent to bishops around the world, condemning
modern feminism and its influence on making homosexuality more
culturally acceptable!!!
I TOLEDO
OHIO USA (WGTE), channel 30.At one am in the morning every month.
The
"In the Life:was
aired in Toledo Ohio Monday Morning, and it was very entertaining, and enlightenment.
It took nearly eight years for the Toledo Gay community to convince WGTE
TV30 to run the American Gay and Lesbian News Magazine on Toledo
Television. If it is still being aired I am not aware if any
one know where ande when eMAIL me TOM
Many organizations spearheaded the drive to Convince
WGTE to air the Program "In the Life" They were afraid that
that it would disturbed the straight community. But that has not
happen. Please email tv@wgte.pbs.org
or give WGTE a letter or call them and tell them how much you enjoyed
the program. The national web site is http://www.inthelifetv.org.
I highly recommend our community to watch the next program (If and When)
and tell their friends.
(Local Toledo site at: http://www.wgte.org/newsite/
This article has been run on the DIGNITYTOLEDO WEB SITE ALSO at http://www.frpro.com/DIGNITYTOLEDO.htm
FRIPRO NEWS RELEASE
A US national television series that reports on gay and lesbian
issues and culture was re-aired a segment on Al-Fatiha and the GLBT Muslim
community in the May 2003 episode.
IN THE LIFE broadcasts on over 130
public television stations nationwide, including all of the top 20
viewer markets, and reaches over one million viewers per episode. .
refer to:inthelifet
VATICAN CITY. A new Vatican dictionary (1,000-page Lexicon) describing homosexuality as a condition "without
any social value" was denounced by an Italian gay rights leader Monday as insulting and cruel. The Lexicon
reflects Vatican's teaching that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered," and Pope John Paul II has said
such acts are "contrary to natural law." The church, says homosexuals should be treated with compassion and
dignity. Associated Press
"The current pope ... will send emissaries to
terrorists, he
will meet with a man who tried to assassinate him. But he
has not and will not meet with openly gay Catholics. They
are, to him, beneath dialogue. His message is unmistakable.
Gay people are the last of the untouchables. We can exist in
the church only by silence, by bearing false witness to who
we are."
-- Gay Catholic journalist Andrew Sullivan writing in The
New York Times, Oct. 19. \
Dear Friends (by Father Roland Calvert)
January is Membership Renewal Month
No More gay Priest. Anglican leader
proclaims. HA!
Feast of the Epiphany
SECTION 1
Over 25 Dignity Toledo members and friends
attended a great thanksgiving dinner and mass at Deb and Karran's beautiful home
on Sunday before Thanksgiving Day. It was great Thanks Deb and Karran. (If any
one has any photos e Mail them to me for publication
When the Vatican ordered Sister Jeannine
Gramick to end her ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, the soft-spoken
nun said she had to listen to a higher authority: God. The nun was
the keynote speaker at the 25th anniversary banquet and mass, of Dignity
Toledo Oct 12, the
local chapter of a national lay group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender Catholics and their friends.
On Sunday Oct 13, WXUT (University of
Toledo's 88.3 FM radio station) broadcasted at 2:30pm Sunday afternoon
local time, a very interesting interview with Sr. Gramick
Sister
Jeannine Gramick addressed the Dignity dinner Photos below in TOLEDO at the 25th Ann. Dinner:
Remember Sister
Jeannine Gramick in our prayers:
Sister Jeannine Gramick spoke at Dignity Toledo's
25th anniversary Mass celebration at St. Mark's
Episcopal Church, 2272 Collingwood Blvd. Fantastic Dinner for 55 people, was
served at 8:30 p.m. at
Madison's on Main restaurant in Sylvania. Ohio USA .
Ex-Councilman Louis Escobar looking
back,giving a 25
year appreciation plack from the city council of Toledo Ohio to Paul K
received for Dignity Toledo.
Paul is still recuperating from major
illness give him a call of encouragement
ROME - The Vatican is internally
circulating draft proposals that would bar homosexuals from becoming
priests, a policy long discussed within the Roman Catholic Church
hierarchy but getting renewed attention in the wake of sex abuse
scandals in the United States. Michael S. Winters, a Catholic writer in
Washington, predicted that quiet lobbying by U.S. bishops would prevent
the draft from being approved. "Maybe 40 years ago, you could
get away with something like this. But
everybody knows today it is rumored that 40% our clergy are gay, and the overwhelming
majority are wonderful priests who don't go out and abuse
children," Winters said. "So who are they kidding?"
Catholicism, Homosexuality, and
Dignity
My Dear Friends at Dignity Cincinnati,
I am the bishop
of the Orthodox Catholic Church Diocese of Ohio, living here in
Cincinnati Ohio.
We are an Autocephalous
Catholic Community in Ohio,
Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, California, Illinois, and still
growing. Our Local Website is : http:/www.ohioocc.org
We are an Ecumenical Inclusive Community
coming from the Catholic Tradition. Our Mass is in English and
communion is open to all who wish to partake. We ordain
both men and women... gay and straight....
I know that Dignity
is Roman Catholic, but I wish to offer
an open door to all members of Dignity not
only in the Cincinnati area, but to all and I would welcome
the opportunity to speak with your group or to offer a Mass in
the absence of a Roman Catholic priest, if you are interested.
The telephone number
here at the friary where I live is 513.451.7952.
Your servant in Christ,
+Charles
How many people actually follow their
dream no matter where it might take them?
by James B. Wozniak
Only a small handful persevere is
the sad answer that immediately comes back to us. We allow a
wide range of things to get in the way, from financial security to fear
of taking a chance, lack of support and encouragement from other people,
negative family, peer, societal pressures, psychological and health
considerations to name a few.
All of us can rattle off the excuses and
rationalizations for why we did not pursue our dream or even give it a
try. Some even wonder how their lives could have been different
and what impact they might have
had.
We admire those individuals who had the courage and
strength to achieve success in their chosen field, overcoming the
obstacles in their path. Some of these people made significant
contributions to the betterment of humankind, some minor. GLBT
people are in their ranks and we can highlight some of their
accomplishments during Gay Pride Month. On a sad note, there are many
who we do not know about, so we will never get the full picture with all
its beautiful diversity and detail.
Let us imagine for a moment the ultimate dream of
GLBT equality and acceptance, with the barriers lifted. Just think
what could be accomplished if GLBT persons could grasp the vision and
individually and collectively act to make it reality. There would be a pot of gold at the
end of this rainbow in the movie version at least.
How much of this becomes reality depends on how much
each and everyone of us is willing to do to make it happen. If we
turn our backs and walk away from the challenge we cannot be successful
and the dream dies.
I am offering a challenge to everyone for June Pride
Month and the rest of the year. Take a piece of the dream and do
something with it. Make a conscious effort, no matter how small it may
seem, to improve conditions for GLBT people, and encourage others to do
so also. Look
for an opportunity to bring about change by words or actions. Make
a difference in your life as well as others. You'll feel good
about it and help make the dream more of a reality.
If you find that this exercise is
invigorating, you
might want to reactivate one of your personal dreams and check out what
you can do to make it come to life.
Annual Easter Dinner GREAT
One of our annual Dignity Easter Dinner was held on Sunday, March 17th starting with
Father Roland saying Mass at 3:30 p.m. and dinner at 4 p.m.
at Deb's and Karen's home in Springfield Township. The Chapter provided the Easter
Ham, with over twenty people bringing a dish to pass. It was a great
dinner for Easter and Deb and Karen have a beautiful home. Even Robert
their three old son had a great time -- even if the dog did eat the
cheese ball. That evening many went over to Deans home to see the Sunday
evening movie including, "Queer as Folks"
Lets don't give up any volunteers for 2008? Yes
John had us all together again at the (Photo's above)
Spaghetti
Warehouse
42 S. Superior
St.
Downtown
Toledo
Dignity/USA is the largest and most progressive national lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(GLBT) Catholics, our families, and our friends.
In local chapters across the United States, we worship
openly with other GLBT and supportive Catholics, socialize, share personal
and spiritual concerns, and work together on educational and justice issues.
We believe that God created us, Christ died for us,
and the Holy Spirit sanctified us in Baptism. As GLBT Catholics, it is our
right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the Church.
We believe that we can express our sexuality in a loving, life-affirming
manner that is in keeping with Christ's teaching.
More Than 30 Years Uniting GLBT Catholics
Begun in 1969 in San Diego under the leadership of
Fr. Patrick Nidorf, OSA, first as a counseling group and then a support
group in Los Angeles, Dignity/USA has been a national organization since
1973. An independent nonprofit organization, the national office is in Washington,
DC, with chapters located throughout the United States. Members gather at
periodic regional meetings and biennial national conventions.
On a nationwide basis and through local chapters such as Dignity/Toledo, Dignity:
·
advocates for change in the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality;
· provides educational
materials, speakers, and other resources to Catholic parishes, gay ministries,
and other interested groups;
·
maintains ongoing dialogue with Catholic bishops and other Church leaders;
·
represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics in the media;
·
presents positive testimony from a Catholic perspective on civil rights legislation.
Fund raiser for DIGNITY TOLEDO HOTTER-VILLE!
BUY MY BOOKS AND HELP KEEP
DIGNITY'S web site going
BOOK NUMBER
TWO: ORDER
SECURE: "LORDS of the CRESCENT paper back
novel" Here is a good gift for that guy or
girl, secure and written by me, your GLBT web master. In paper back:
"The Lords of the Crescent" a Scientific Historical
Novel". $14.95 +POSTAGE Tom
FAIRBAIRN AUTHOR
.
(DIGNITY TOLEDO)
(Dave is pictured on the left at Dignity's Convention in Grand
Rapids Michigan)
plans a mass blessing of same-sex unions in Las
Vegas Sunday, Aug 10, 2003. The action comes a week after the Vatican
condemned the practice.
Next meeting