Without Exception Newsletter

• This fall I heard from a number of teachers in Catholic schools who continue to be unsure about how to support LGBTQ+ students under ambivalent or hostile circumstances. Stories include a Florida Catholic high school that checks birth certificates in the admissions process; a Catholic school leader saying, “We don’t cater to blacks or gays”; a new restrictive policy in the Diocese of Dallas that is designed to remain private; and an LGBTQ+ adult who struggles with passive thoughts of suicide over the trial of remaining closeted in Catholic spaces.

• Among all of these wounds there is one healing balm we share in common: we are not alone. As Christ came to “be with us always” (Mt 28:20), those of us in this ministry are united to “be [his] witnesses … to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The greatest blessing of our growing network is it has increased connectedness and allowed rays of light to shine in dark places. The goal of accompaniment is not to offer “mercy on the cheap,” but to pay the cost of discipleship and help every soul feel its worth—without exception.

• Our network is earning credibility and building momentum as a faithful ministry that seeks to translate Church teaching into pastoral practice. If you know people who should be connected to our work, then please share the word.

• The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) is inviting parents and caregivers of color with LGBTQ youth and LGBTQ youth of color, ages 15-25, to participate on advisory groups for a new study to provide FAP's family support model online to increase acceptance and support for families of color who are struggling with their teen's LGBTQ identity. Follow the links for more information on how to participate in the parent & caregiver advisory group or the youth advisory group.

• The University of San Francisco is working with a group of current students who are DEIB directors in Catholic schools and would like to connect with colleagues doing this critical work across the country. In Spring 2024 Dr. Ursula Aldana will teach a class on “Building Culturally Responsive Catholic Schools,” which is particularly relevant for folks doing DEI work in Catholic schools. This class is open to visiting/non-matriculating students. If you know someone who is looking to deepen their knowledge, connect with colleagues, and build community, then please share this information with them.

• The Catholic School Matters podcast completed its five-part series on conflicts in Catholic school leadership. This is important listening for school leaders.

• If you would like to highlight your school, parish, or organization as a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ persons, then please check out how to be featured on the Gaudete page of Outreach.

Bridge, J. A., Birmaher, B., Brent, D. A. “The case for universal screening for suicidal risk in adolescents.” Pediatrics, Vol. 151, No. 6, 2023.

de Jong, Dirk. “Exploring the Status of Transgender Students in Catholic High Schools.” Journal of Catholic Education, 2023.

Duddy-Burke, Marianne. “Made in the Image of God: Catholic Perspectives on the Dangers of Conversion Therapy.” DignityUSA, 2023.

Fung, Simon Kent, host. “Dear Alana.” Tenderfoot TV, 2023.

Guzman, Clyde. “‘Traditionalism’ is the New Protestantism.” Where Peter Is, October 31, 2023.

Johnson, Madeline, director. “Living Our Marianist Charism: Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community” [video]. Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, 2020.

Martin, James. “Father James Martin: What happened at the Synod on Synodality.” America, October 30, 2023.

McElwee, Joshua and Christopher White. “Exclusive: On gay Catholics, synod ensured 'nothing is closed,' says African Jesuit.” National Catholic Reporter, October 31, 2023.

McKinless, Ashley and Zac Davis. “Interview: Finding a way between ‘cafeteria Catholicism’ and Catholic fundamentalism.” America, October 27, 2023.

Middle Ground Community. Can You Stop Being Gay? [panel discussion]. Jubilee Media, 2023.

Murray, Caleb. “Queer and Wondrous God.” US Catholic, December 2023.

Palmieri, David. “‘The Sea We Must Wade’: Exploring the Need for Catholic Ministry to Families with LGBTQ+ Children.” The International Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2023.

Sadusky, Julia. Talking with Your Teen about Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics. Ave Maria Press, 2024.

Salkeld, Brett. “An Interview with James Alison.” Commonweal, March 6, 2012.

Schneider, Nathan. “The trouble with ‘gender ideology’.” America, November 16, 2023.

The Trevor Project. “2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People.” The Trevor Project, 2023.

The Trevor Project. “The Mental Health and Well-Being of Latinx LGBTQ Young People.” The Trevor Project, 2023.

White, John Kenneth. “The Catholic Church is reviving the lost art of listening.” The Hill, November 14. 2023.

Wooden, Cindy. “Vatican: Trans persons can be baptized as Catholics, serve as godparents.” National Catholic Reporter, November 8, 2023

• To coincide with the total solar eclipse in April, Saint Christopher Journeys and Still Point Theatre Collective are hosting a conference from April 6–8 on Science, Art, and Faith Aligning. There will be a breakout session on Supporting Transgender Youth. The conference will take place at Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana.

• Fortunate Families continues to offer specialized training in the Ministry of Accompaniment to transgender persons. This ministry is an expression of our commitment to trans* persons as members of the Body of Christ. Essential to this commitment is understanding the many issues that affect personal and spiritual well-being.

• The LGBTQ+ Initiative of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative will host a summer conference from Thursday June 27 to Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the Bergamo Center in Dayton, OH. “Imago Dei: Embracing the Dignity of LGBTQ+ Persons” aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a 1974 groundbreaking conference centered on LGBTQ+ inclusion and ministry which was held in Dayton at the Bergamo Center. The conference hopes to honor those who foresaw the importance of developing pastoral care and outreach, and to envision how we can continue to respond to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community within our Church and world. More information is available here.