What is Dignity?

DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.

In local chapters across the United States, we worship openly with other GLBT and supportive Catholics, socialize, share personal and spiritual concerns, and work together on educational and justice issues.

We believe that God created us, Christ died for us, and the Holy Spirit sanctified us in Baptism. As GLBT Catholics, it is our right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the Church. We believe that we can express our sexuality in a loving, life-affirming manner that is in keeping with Christ's teaching.

Creemos que Dios nos creó, que Cristo murió por nosotros, y que el Espiritu Santo nos santificó en bautismo. Como Católicos Homosexuales, Lesbianas, Bisexuales y Transgéneros, es nuestro derecho, nuestro privilegio y nuestro deber vivir la vida sacramental de la iglesia. Creemos que podemos expresar nuestra sexualidad en una manera amorosa y afirmadora de la vida que está en armonía con la enseñanza de Cristo.

More Than 35 Years Uniting GLBT Catholics

Begun in 1969 in San Diego under the leadership of Fr. Patrick Nidorf, OSA, first as a counseling group and then a support group in Los Angeles, DignityUSA has been a national organization since 1973. An independent nonprofit organization, our national office is in Washington, DC, with chapters located throughout the United States. Members gather at periodic regional meetings and biennial national conventions.

On a nationwide basis and through our local chapters, Dignity:

• advocates for change in the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality;
• provides educational materials, speakers, and other resources to Catholic parishes, gay ministries, and other interested groups;
• maintains ongoing dialogue with Catholic bishops and other Church leaders;
• represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics in the media;
• presents positive testimony from a Catholic perspective on civil rights legislation.

Dignity is a founding member of Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), a network of diverse groups seeking change within the Church. We network internationally with GLBT Catholic groups, including assisting in the development of new groups in countries such as South Africa, Poland, and Colombia.

Among our ongoing projects:

• Defenders of Dignity, an outreach to the leather spiritual community
• a National AIDS project
• Solidarity Sunday, a national anti-violence initiative.

DignityUSA is a not-for-profit religious corporation, organized under 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue code.