Dear Concerned Community Members:
As you may know, as first reported by 9News in Denver and now covered by over 300 newspapers internationally, Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder has refused to readmit a preschooler because the preschooler has two moms. It is important to note that the media was tipped off by teachers at Sacred Heart School, who disagree with the Denver Catholic Dioceses decision. We thank these teachers for their courage.
Last night, in conjunction with Wesley Chapel, Boulder Pride held a community forum about the situation, to provide people a space to talk about their feelings and plan action going forward. We have heard loud and clear from the LGBTQ community, as well as from Allies, that this situation has stirred feelings of anger, pain and frustration.
Based on our meeting last night, we wanted to share some Action Steps that you can take:
· ---->Like the Sacred Heart teachers who called the media, we recognize that many Catholics are also struggling with the decision to not readmit the preschooler. Rather than further polarize communities or condemn individuals, we encourage LGBTQ people to offer patience, compassion and careful listening to Catholics who are struggling.
· --->We recognize that many members of the LGBTQ have experienced what Soulforce calls spiritual violence at the hands of organized religions. No doubt this situation may be triggering feelings of pain and anger. There is a Boulder Pride-affiliated group called “Reconciling Faith” who meets twice a month. Reconciling Faith provides a space for LGBTQ and Allied people to talk about spirituality and religion. You can join their Facebook group for more information: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=263614230188&ref=ts
· --->We encourage you to write Letters to the Editor of the Daily Camera about the decision openforum@dailycamera.com. Letters to the Editor remain one of the most widely read sections of the paper.
· --->We encourage you to contact Sacred Heart School and Denver Archdiocese directly with your thoughts (see below for contact information). If you are comfortable doing so, we encourage you to request an in-person meeting to discuss the matter.
· --->We encourage you to volunteer with Boulder Pride’s program, “SpeakingOUT.” SpeakingOUT provides panels of ‘out’ LGBTQ and Allied people who share their experiences and stories with audiences that include middle and high school classes, college classes and businesses. As a result of the Sacred Heart decision, Boulder Pride/SpeakingOUT will begin actively reaching out and offering our SpeakingOUT panels to spiritual/religious organizations in Boulder County. The next free SpeakingOUT training is on March 16 from 5:30 to 8pm. Sandwiches will be provided. For more information (including location) and to RSVP, please email cathy@boulderpride.org. We welcome straight allies as SpeakingOUT members – you have a coming out story, as well, on why you advocate for LGBTQ rights.
· --->Consider Coming Out. This suggestion perhaps sounds passé, but it really is the single most important act you can do. When people know LGBTQ people, it makes real polarized political and religious discussions. The simple act of coming out transforms hearts and minds. Even if you are super-out, think about sending a coming out email to a person who may not know…or someone in your past (perhaps the church you grew up in or your preschool teacher J )
· ---> Finally, please consider donating to Boulder Pride. As a grassroots non-profit, Boulder Pride relies on community donations to do this vital work. During the next month, every dollar up to $2,000 we raise will generously be matched by the Gill Foundation. To make a donation: http://boulderpride.org/bp/support/donate.html
We welcome your ideas and suggestions, as well. Please feel free to contact us.
While this situation has been incredibly difficult and reminded us all of vital work that remains to be done, it also has highlighted our strengths as a community. We are grateful to live in Boulder County with engaged, passionate community members like you. Thank you.
In Solidarity,
Dave Ensign, Board President (dave@boulderpride.org)
Aicila Lewis, Executive Director (alewis@boulderpride.org)
Cathy Busha, Program Director (cathy@boulderpride.org)
Boulder Pride
Contac t Information
Sacred Heart of Jesus School:
1318 Mapleton Ave
Boulder, CO 80304
(303) 443-0684 bartschm@shjboulder.org
1318 Mapleton Ave
Boulder, CO 80304
(303) 443-0684 bartschm@shjboulder.org
2 comments:
This story hits way too close to home for me. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver and Richord Thompson, Superintendent of the Catholic Schools there are two people I know quite well. They both served the Rapid City–West River Diocese in South Dakota. Richard Thompson hired me to be the music teacher of the Catholic schools in Rapid City in 1994. It was a job I loved. I was an excellent teacher. I was respected by my students and colleagues. And, I even got letters from both Mr. Thompson and Bishop Charles (as we called him) commending me on my wonderful Christmas programs and the role model I was to the students.
But…a parent wrote an anonymous letter to the superintendent questioning my sexual orientation (and accusing me of being a pedophile based on the fact that I might be gay). I was not given the opportunity to defend myself. And, the man who hired me didn’t defend me either. Instead, he forced me to resign. My colleagues and students were devastated to learn I would not be finishing the school year. They were told nothing…
I am now an openly gay man living in San Francisco…and I’m also a practicing Catholic who loves the Church. I have found a lot of beauty and grace in the Sacraments. Luckily, I’m able to worship with the LGBT community in San Francisco at a wonderful parish. http://WWW.MHR.Org. I can understand that many people think that gay Catholics, like me, should abandon our faith. But, I think we need to stand up and be noticed. I believe in Christ and God…not the hierarchy of the fallible Church. I will not let the ignorance of some keep me from my faith. But, these people who practice bigotry in the name of Christ must be stopped!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! There has been such strong reaction to this experience exactly because of stories like yours. It strikes at the heart of the pain that people in our community have dealt with in their coming out process.
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