Protest planned for archdiocese event featuring Prop 8 leaders
Friday, April 16, 2010 at 12:04 pm
- 6 Comments
Same-sex marriage supporters plan to protest speakers at the University of St. Thomas on Saturday. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have invited two leaders of the fight against same-sex marriage in California’s Proposition 8 battle in 2008, Maggie Gallagher and Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, to speak about bringing the battle against marriage equality to Minnesota. Protesters say the pair stand for discrimination against the LGBT community.
“Along with Maggie Gallagher and Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, instigators of California’s Proposition 8, are coming to the University of Saint Thomas to bring their campaign of discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to Minnesota,” Amy Johnson, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, said in a statement. “Fair-minded Minnesotans who agree that all families should be protected under law are speaking out.”
The protest will take place in front of the University of St. Thomas on Saturday, April 17, at 9:15 a.m. at Cretin and Summit Avenue.
“We ask Archbishop Nienstedt to join us in speaking out against discrimination of any kind. Polls show that Catholics in the pew support equality of GLBT people more than any other Christian tradition,” Michael Bayly, Executive Coordinator of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, said. “Historic Catholic teachings value both faith and reason. We value human rights, but our Catholic officials ignore these values when it comes to the lives of GLBT people. It is time for Catholic officials to support justice and fairness for all people.”
The protest has drawn support from a number of organizations including All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church, the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, Dignity Twin Cities, The Institute for Welcoming Resources of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, OutFront Minnesota, and the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual.
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Comment posted April 16, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
“Michael Bayly, Executive Coordinator of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, said. “Historic Catholic teachings value both faith and reason. We value human rights, but our Catholic officials ignore these values when it comes to the lives of GLBT people. It is time for Catholic officials to support justice and fairness for all people.””
Historically the Catholic Church also believes in the Bible, which forbids homosexual behavior. Good luck on your protest…
Comment posted April 16, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
“the Bible, which forbids homosexual behavior”
Yes it does – in the same book that teaches a man how to be a good master to his slaves.
Fail!
Comment posted April 17, 2010 @ 10:51 am
I attended the protest this morning and it was wonderful. Boisterous, fun, colorful, diverse and well attended (looked like a couple hundred people there). The speakers were well chosen and inspiring. Definitely a good vibe all around. I hope someone posts a story about it later.
The people attending the St. Thomas-sponsored anti-equality event looked properly tight-assed and were well protected from us rabble, although they did have to walk past all of us to get to the lecture.
Daniel, I hope you don’t eat shrimp. The bible clearly says that it is an abomination.
Comment posted April 19, 2010 @ 1:39 am
If this were the Vatican, the Catholics would have a point. But this is America – and in America we theoretically have freedom of religion. Not just for Catholics and Christian fundamentalists, but for all of us. As long as there is a church that sanctifies gay marriage, then freedom of religion demands that gay marriage be recognized and honored just like traditional marriage – and for the same reasons.
FYI: The Bible says nothing at all about women with women.
Comment posted April 23, 2010 @ 7:31 am
Jesus also spoke at length about divorce and adultery. He didn’t say a word about homosexuality. All this during the time of the Roman Empire.
The ten commandments mention adultery and coveting wives. They don’t say squat about homosexuality.
People are born gay like they’re born left handed. And all people have an need for affection and deserve to love and be loved. Attempting to deny gay folks this God given right is the abomination.
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