Applauding a decision
Dear neighbors,
As a Gay Catholic I am pleased with the ruling of Judge John Schmidt in which he said it did not matter what the civil union's law said because a more basic issue was at play: Is the state required to contract with Catholic Charities? The answer, he said, is no. The Illinois judge has ruled the state can end its adoption and foster care relationship with Catholic Charities, which refuses to place children with gay couples.
The Illinois Act, which is known as the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, grants same-sex couples the state legal benefits of marriage.
This confrontation could have been avoided if the Illinois Catholic Conference would have put the adoptive/foster care child's interest as its first priority. In private communication with the leadership of the Illinois Conference, Catholic Charities has shown an arrogant refusal to even meet to discuss the issue. Refusing dialogue with the gay leadership on this matter has shown an unwillingness to explore at least the possibility of common ground on of what is in the best interest of the prospective orphans under their care.
Nearly 2,000 children in foster care are under the care of Catholic Charities in the three dioceses in questionSpringfield, Peoria and Jolietand their transition to other adoptive/foster agencies that put their needs first, thank God, can now begin.
It is my hope that the Illinois Catholic Conference will listen to Catholics, and approach the situation on a more pastoral level. They must stop this adversarial role they have chosen of promoting their own dogma over what is in the best interest of the child.
State funding should not be used to promote discrimination in the name of religion over equality. Thank you, Judge Schmidt.
Joe Murray
Executive Director
Rainbow Sash Movement (Gay/Lesbian Catholics)
Addressing expungement
Dear Editor:
I really enjoyed reading the Windy City Times article "Experts say LGBT people should expunge arrests" (Aug. 17 issue).
As the only openly gay man associated with the creation of the law that expands expungement and sealing laws in this state, I am gratified to know that LGBT experts are finally agreeing with what I and a small group of community activists have been saying and doing in other communities throughout Chicagoland.
As the criminal justice point person for Illinois State Rep. Constance Howard, I led volunteers in her office almost a decade ago to organize the statewide grassroots strategy that assisted Howard in her legislative efforts to expand the expungement and sealing statues in this state.
I remember the energy and focus that everyone had, especially Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown. Brown advocated behind the scenes among those who opposed this effort and many of other 102 county officials to insure that this legislation passed and became law.
Then, Brown began the process of implementing the expungement and sealing laws among those who needed the help! She began sponsoring seminars in economically disadvantaged communities. Now, the Center on Halsted is sponsoring a much-needed summit.
I applaud Brown's office for making sure that all citizens who need this service get itincluding those within the LGBT communities throughout Chicago. Congratulations to the Center on Halsted for this effort; it's really needed within this community.
Sincerely,
Michael O'Connor
Chicago