THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The online service, entitled Catholic Pride Blessing, is being sponsored by DignityUSA, an organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the church and society. It is co-sponsored by 19 other organizations including NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, the Institute Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the National LGBTQ Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, the Tyler Clementi Foundation, and Women's Ordination Conference. In addition, Catholics have been invited to sign a statement of blessing or to submit their own blessings for LGBTQ+ people.

The online service, to be aired at 8:00 PM Eastern time on June 1, 2021, will feature some of the images and texts submitted by Catholics. In addition, video blessings from prominent Catholics including Miguel H. Diaz, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See; Mary McAleese, past President of Ireland; and Bishop John Stowe, Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, will be shared.

"We know that there are many, many Catholics who love, support, and, yes, bless their LGBTQ+ family members, friends, and neighbors," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA. "We wanted to create a way for them to make their love visible. The response has been phenomenal. We've received blessings from parents, siblings, and friends of LGBTQ+ people, priests and sisters, and folks who simply identify as 'a Catholic who cares.' Many of these people felt disheartened and disappointed by the Vatican statement and appreciated the chance to send a different message."

Media representatives wishing to attend the Catholic Pride Blessing, 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday, June 1 are asked to register here www.dignityusa.org/civicrm/event/register to be sent the link. Those wishing to be sent a link to the recording of the event after it is concluded should request it from Communications@dignityusa.org .

DignityUSA is the world's longest-serving organization of Catholics working for justice, equality and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in the church and society. It is a founding member of the Global Network for Rainbow Catholics.