On Saturday, October 15, members of LGBT Catholic group Dignity/Chicago kicked off the organization’s 40th Anniversary Year with a party at the home of Daniel Bender in Rogers Park. Past chapter president Ramon Rodriguez was the guest speaker. He encouraged the chapter to continue to embrace change and to always be open to new ways to serve the community.
Current chapter president Chris Pett spoke about plans for year which will include special programming throughout Advent and Lent, a history panel in January to highlight the impact of religious organizations on the LGBT community and a celebratory dinner and Mass the weekend of May 19 & 20, 2012. Pett remarked, “Dignity/Chicago is one of the oldest organzitions still active in our community. We are also one of five Dignity chapters (including San Diego, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.) celebrating 40 years of ministry to LGBT Catholics, our families and friends. During these forty years we have journeyed from being one of the few places where LGBT folks could gather for spiritual and social support to one of many religious communities where LGBT people fully integrate their spirituality and sexuality.”
Dignity/Chicago’s mission is shared with DignityUSA and chapters across the nation who seek justice and equality in church and society for people of all sexual orientations, especial gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.
Photo caption: Dignity/Chicago board members Martin Grochala, Chris Pett, Mike Cook and Mike Hogan with guest speaker and past president Ramon Rodriguez at Dignity/Chicago’s 40th Anniversary Kick-off Party.