Monday, April 7, 2008

LGBT Catholics to Protest Anti-Gay Pope

As noted at DignityUSA:

Dignity USA the largest LGBT Catholic organization will protest when Pope Benedict XVI's visits the United States April 15-20.

DignityUSA's executive director. "We need to recognize the damage that this Pope's attacks on our community have caused countless individuals and families. We witness on their behalf."

Events throughout Washington D.C. and New York City:


THURSDAY, APRIL 10 (10 a.m. New Ways Ministry Press Conference):
LOCATION: Murrow Room, National Press Club (529 14th Street, NW; 13th floor, Washington D.C.)

"A Few Moments with the Pope: Lesbian/Gay Catholics Speak about their Church" - Speakers: Teresa DeCrescenzo, executive director of Gay Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS), Gregory Maguire, author of more than a dozen novels, most notably Wicked, which was the basis for the Tony-award winning Broadway Musical. Heather Mizeur, delegate representing the 20th District in Maryland and a leader in the debate about legalizing gay and lesbian marriages. Richard Rodriguez, social and cultural commentator, author and Peabody-award winning contributor to PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12: (11:30 a.m. Press Conference - 12:00 Demonstration at UN)
LOCATION OF PRESS CONFERENCE AND DEMONSTRATION: Ralph J. Bunche Park (43rd Street and 1st Avenue, New York)

"The Global Impact of Pope Benedict's Anti-Gay Campaign" - Speakers: Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues, Cuban immigrant, lesbian Catholic activist, editor of Out in the Workplace. Brendan Fay, Irish-born gay activist, filmmaker and cofounder of New York's inclusive St. Patrick's Day Parade. Currently involved in an international controversy regarding the unauthorized use of images from his marriage to Dr. Thomas Moulton by Polish President Lech Kaczynski. Jeff Stone, Dignity/New York Steering Committee. Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15: Papal Motorcade Demonstrations
LOCATION AND TIME: Press advisory to follow when officials announce time and route.

Demonstrations will be along the Pope's motorcade route through Washington D.C.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16: (5:30 p.m.) Demonstration during Pope's Meeting with U.S. Bishops
LOCATION: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (400 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington D.C.)"

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pope has been steadfast in his anti gay ways, I think outreach to Catholics would be far more effective at changing people than trying to change the popes mind.

Anonymous said...

The current pope also used to be a nazi. I think... if he can change from being that, I'm sure he can understand and change his ways regarding homosexuality.

I can't actually protest because I'm nowhere near DC, but still... There are a few protests happening on the 12th, so that's quite a juggle, but I do hope for major success.

Anonymous said...

its important to engage catholics but also the vatican. after all change will come in a big way if the vatican makes a new decision.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully Dignity will help inspire Catholic gay folks to stand up to this bigot and refuse to let him drive them out of their church!

Mychals Prayer said...

When he visits Ground Zero, the Pope will be greeted by a protest vigil honoring Father Mychal Judge, the FDNY chaplain and first official casualty of the 9/11 attacks. Ironically, Fr. Mychal was openly gay, though celibate.

Considered a living saint by many even prior to his heroic death, Mychal often asked, “Is there so much love in the world that we can afford to discriminate against any kind of love ?!”

We have no illusions that this pope is going to change. Rather, we are bearing witness to two truths -- that God created and loves gay people, and that the pope does not speak for the whole Church, the Ecclesia, on these matters.

These truths are being increasingly embraced by Catholics in-the-pews. Fully two-thirds of U.S. Catholics reject the pope’s views and support either civil unions or full marriage rights, according to numerous surveys.

As Fr. Mychal also said, "Don't let the (institutional) church get in the way of your relationship with God."

For more info on Fr. Mychal Judge, "the Saint of 9/11," visit --
http://SaintMychalJudge.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Is there any video footage coverage of the protests?

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