DignityUSA

The group of Sullivan High School parents, teachers, and students lobbying for a straight-only prom have couched their anti-LGBT position in religious language, stating "We want to make the public see that we love the homosexuals, but we don't think it's right nor should it be accepted." Many religious leaders, however, have rejected the group's claims that LGBT people are "wrong" and that they should have a straight-only prom.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Cardinal George said, “I am truly sorry for the hurt my remarks have caused, particularly because we all have friends or family members who are gay and lesbian. This has evidently wounded a good number of people. I have family members myself who are gay and lesbian, so it's part of our lives. So I'm sorry for the hurt."

In the days and weeks following Cardinal Francis George of Chicago’s comparison of the LGBT community to the Ku Klux Klan, Catholics have continued to organize and speak out. Many Catholics have found the Cardinal’s comments and the ensuing backlash to be an opportunity to educate the Roman Catholic hierarchy on the reality of LGBT Catholics. Dignity Chicago is one of several Dignity chapters celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Comments like those of Cardinal George’s are one of the reasons why the prophetic call of Dignity is as important now as it was 40 years ago.

In the days following Chicago Cardinal Francis George’s comparison that the LGBT movement could “morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism,” LGBT-affirming Catholics have spoken out against such harmful words and for the unity of their church with the LGBT community.