AGLO in the dark
LGBT rights are moving at rapid rates across the globe. It is if a paradigm shift is taking place in western society to include elements of South and Central America. Here in the United States we are witnessing the rapid change at a dizzying effect. Even in Illinois we now expect same-sex marriage to be passed before the end of May.
Our faith communities cannot remain immune to this shift, or neutral to what in my opinion can only be attributed to a change in conscience. If as I believe this to be a paradigm shift the theological based doctrine communities out of necessity will have to reevaluate their position of same sex couples/singles in the face of this global awakening, or risk losing the younger generation, and becoming irrelevant.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago—on national, regional and local levels—has been the architect of opposition of our human rights. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a recent letter to the president and Congress has said it will oppose immigration reform if LGBT couples and families are included. There is now even concern among our national political LGBT organizations that LGBT families will not be included in the immigration reform bill.
Cardinal George has been invited into our community by the board members of the Archdiocese Gay and Lesbian Outreach (AGLO) to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on June 16, at 7 p.m. The AGLO board of directors does not speak for the LGBT Roman Catholic community. No single organization can do that.
The Rainbow Sash Movement opposes the cardinal's visit because over the years he has personally opposed every bit of LGBT legislation that seeks to promote the human dignity of this community. He has told lies about our love for one another and has used the pulpit in his cathedral to mount a war against gay marriage and gay adoption; in other words, he has promoted bigotry against us. As if that is not bad enough he has been silent in the face of bigotry directed against us that promotes violence.
The only metaphor that comes to mind is that of inviting Hitler to a remembrance service for holocaust victims.
How AGLO's board of directors can dismiss this man's homophobic history by inviting him to its 25th anniversary only speaks to a clueless mentality and a fear that he will take the ministry away from them if they stand with their community. We are called to do better and move beyond our fears, and that includes AGLO's board.
I challenge the AGLO leadership to respond to my criticism of its actions. If I am in error about this matter, I would appreciate a public fraternal correction.
Joe Murray
Chicago
Immigration nation
Liberals embrace us in daylight, deport us at night.
I am in a binational couple where my husband of 11 years is a Mexican immigrant and I am a U.S. citizen. As this is a same-sex couple, I am excluded from the immigration methods many different-sex U.S. citizens exercise to bring their spouses to be with them in this country because immigration is a federal law and the federal government doesn't recognize our marriage.
President Obama says he supports immigration reform to include us, and the Democratic Party included equal marriage rights in its party platform. Yet, the president is deporting immigrants at historic rates. Further, Sen. Dick Durbin—an Obama ally, and who the Washington Post refers to as the Democratic "party's unofficial spokesperson"—left LGBTs out of immigration reform as a part of the Band of 8's proposed plan. When I had phoned Durbin's office this winter to ask for his support on immigration I was told that he was "with the president on this," but "this is a sensitive topic." My response was, "That is the reason this constituent is calling to ask for his action."
The ugly truth is that liberalism permits a betrayal where platitudes about the importance of immigrants and gays to our society by the president and legislators are countered with actual, real terrorizing of immigrants and gays by that same president, administration and legislator. They kiss us on television, then deport us at night. What are the 30 pieces of silver they gain by saying they support my relationship, when at the same time they hand my lover over to the guards?!
We need representatives that take action to effect the immigration reforms needed so this citizen and immigrant can bring all of our strengths to our community without being harassed by exclusive laws. We need people of conviction, not Obama-Durbin liberals that effect betrayal.
Brent Holman-Gomez
Gay Liberation Network
Chicago
