Article on fledgling Dignity Dallas chapter raises questions about why LGBT people would want to be part of a faith that doesn’t accept them
The Feb. 17 Dallas Voice informed us, under the eyebrow “Spirituality,” that some locals are working to re-establish the LGBT Catholic organization, Dignity Dallas.
This is so weird it ranks right up there with Rick Santorum’s assertion that, if one of his daughters was raped and impregnated, he would advise her to make the best of a bad situation.
It ranks right alongside Mitt Romney’s sacred underpants, Newt Gingrich’s moon base and Ron Paul’s un-conservative earmarks.
I do not know Jim Davis, and perhaps he is a very nice man. Certainly, he seems sincere in wanting to re-establish a local branch of Dignity since he is willing to be quoted saying, “I want my name out there.”
Out where? The Catholic Church does not recognize Dignity’s existence. It certainly does not recognize Dignity’s value. The DV article reports that, according to DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke, the group is “still a place to take refuge from the mounting attacks by bishops and the pope.”
Well, isn’t that the problem? Hey, people, the church does not want you. It thinks your sexuality, gender identity and/or gender expression is a choice. It thinks you should turn straight. It thinks you should be celibate. It thinks you should at the very least keep your mouth shut. Not to mention other parts of your anatomy.
Here is some of what the church has to say about LGBT people:
According to published reports, on Oct. 31, 1986, under Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) made public a “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.”
In the letter, he calls homosexuality “a more or less strong tendency … toward an intrinsic moral evil” and “an objective disorder.”
In other words, not only is homosexual activity wrong, but homosexuality itself is wrong. Evil. Disordered. Wrong.
Googling for items related to Catholic positions on homosexuality is fascinating and terrifying. For example, it is fascinating to note the many references to the Book of Genesis and its “creation” of Adam and Eve and their “union” as the basis for heterosexuality and hetero-only marriage. (There is no mention of who wrote the book, though many Catholics and other religions believe it was dictated by God.)
But it is terrifying to read the November 2000 “Statement” issued by the Catholic Medical Association. The statement lists “considerations” — the first being all the bad childhood experiences it alleges turned some of us away from the path of righteousness, including not enough rough-and-tumble play for boys. In a sort of footnote to the list, it alleges that adult women are turned to homosexuality by having an abortion. That’s a new one on me and perhaps on you as well.
The statement then makes “recommendations,” which include this questionable gem: “The priest … is in a unique position to provide specific spiritual assistance to those experiencing same-sex attraction.” Is this a joke? I’m not going there.
In any case, the Catholic Medical Association statement was issued years after the American Psychological Association changed its retrograde position and stated: “The research on homosexuality is very clear. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity.”
I have nothing against the Roman Catholic Church — nothing against any Abrahamic faith. I simply do not believe the practitioners should be passing judgment on all of us or meddling with marriage and abortion and contraception and military service and workplace rights and intimate relationships among members of our community.
And yet they do, or they try very hard to. So why would any LGBT seek to dignify such patriarchal, paternalistic views? It’s a puzzle.
Phyllis Guest is a longtime activist on political and LGBT issues and is a member of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. Send comments to editor@dallasvoice.com.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 24, 2012.
I do not know much about Dignity group nation wide. I have had some experience with Dignity Boston because of Catholic lgbt roomates I had. Dignity was famous for being anti-transgender.The gay men in the group seemed okay with us. The women in the group were most definitely not. Some time before I went to a Dignity service there was a huge amount of controversy over a transgendered woman’s right to join. Couples broke up over this issue and there was an enormous amount mudslinging. After a great deal of discussion it was finally agreed to amend the constitution. to allow trans people.The organisation even put on a very good panel discussion on TGism.
Interestingly many Dignity members among the gay men were theologically very conservative. They disageed with Vatican II and often followed very conservative Catholic theologians or schools of thought I wasn’t familar with.
The Catholic church does not and probably cannot accept lgbt rights.I’m not Catholic. While I have nothing against Catholicism (except of course for their lgbt discrimination, their misogyny, their patriarchy. their reactionary views towards sexuality, their historical baggage ranging from the Inquisition to the abuse by Irish nuns in the 1950s) I have found lgbt Buddhist groups and The Unitarians to be more interesting.
yes, it does seem futile, for Roman Catholic Gays to want to reestablish themselves under the Banner of dignity. However, as a Catholic I can well understand what is happening and why. It has to do ( at least for me,) with 8 years of Grammer school, 1 year of High School, and four years of College and Grad school, in Catholic institutions. It is the way were were brought up it is an emotional and visceral feeling, of belonging , It is the Sacraments that have sustained us for generations. And, It is the hope instilled in us after Vat II that the Church could change, that one day, we would be accepted “Back” into the fold as full and valued members of the Roman catholic Community…And it is our Baptism; they can’t take that away from us as much as they try and marginalize us. AS st. Paul’s says: “Nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ!” So, if demons and all the powers of hell, can’t do it, surely the silly savages in Rome Can’t! That is why Catholics in Dallas want to reinvent and re-form DIGNITY. We don’t need Rome to be real/ authentic Catholics, There are tons of Authentic Catholics who are not, Roman Catholics Rome thinks it has a Monopoly on Authentic Catholic Practice, It doesn’t!
Especially as the Hispanic Population grows, their are more and more Young indoctrinated Cultural Catholics and others, who are LGBT persons who need a safe place to be themselves and worship Their God. We can still worship, receive the Sacraments and go about our Lives do the Gospel, motivated by our Faith in Jesus and as good Americans instill our Christians values by how we live and act. Yes, Bring back DIGNITY; every one need Dignity, even in Texas! Fr. Neil V. Christensen, c.s.e.f.
I always find it interesting how many people contort themselves like a pretzel to fit into a religion. It is still a mystery to me. Maybe they should really examine their lives, and question if what they were taught as children works for them now. My favorite expression is “The past is not baggage, but rather luggage, and you should only keep what you need for the journey ahead.” Any group, or religion that seeks to diminish you, LOSE it!! Live your life in the present, with hope for the future..You deserve it.