On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI addressed a gathering of international diplomats, telling them that marriage equality threatens “the future of humanity itself.” His comments were billed by several media outlets as his strongest anti-LGBT comments to date.

Pope Benedict’s was quoted, “This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself.”

GLAAD reminds media outlets of the importance of informing audiences that the vast majority of Catholics are supportive of LGBT people, including on the issue of marriage equality, despite vocal opposition from Roman Catholic hierarchy. Recent polls have demonstrated that nearly three-quarters of American Catholics are supportive of LGBT people, including on marriage equality.

While the Pope and Roman Catholic hierarchy have been consistent in their opposition to LGBT equality, they are not in line with everyday Catholics who live, work, and worship with LGBT people in their daily lives.

However, whenever the Pope speaks, his words attract international attention. For this reason, it is important for media outlets to share and report how widely out of touch the Pope is with his own constituency.

GLAAD encourages journalists and members of the media who are reporting on the Pope’s comments to include recent polling data (see above) that shows the widespread support for the LGBT community among everyday Catholics. GLAAD also asks reporters covering the story in depth to speak with representatives of LGBT-affirming Catholic organizations. The organizations listed below have been working for a number of years, supporting and affirming LGBT people, their friends and families. GLAAD continues to call on the media to lift up stories and voices of LGBT-affirming Catholics who will likely differ from the hierarchy on issues of LGBT equality.

DignityUSA

Marianne Duddy-Burke

execdir@dignityusa.org

617.669.7810

www.dignityusa.org

New Ways Ministry

Francis DeBernardo

director@newwaysministry.org

 301-277-5674

www.newwaysministry.org

Call To Action

Nicole Sotelo 213

nicole@cta-usa.org

773.404.0004 x285

www.cta-usa.org