To whom may marriage, holy unions or blessing of same sex couples be extended and under what conditions?
Dignity NY believes that marriage, holy union, or blessing of same sex couples should be a gift that the chapter can offer to a wider number of couples other than members of the chapter.
We recognize that not only Roman Catholics are members of Dignity and that we extend the Eucharist to non-Catholics who share our belief in its sacramental nature.
We recognize that canon law states that everyone has a natural right to marry and that GLBT people, as a rule, do not have an opportunity to celebrate their marriages or unions in a Catholic context.
The policy of this chapter is that marriages, holy unions, or blessing of same sex couples while extended primarily to Catholics should, in principle, be available to anyone regardless of membership in the chapter or even membership in the Catholic Church. However, it is the role of the pastoral counselors in this matter to determine the reasons individuals are seeking a marriage, holy union, or blessing of their union. It is encouraged that there be religious or spiritual reasons expressed by the couple. It is hoped that couples will attend several Dignity NY services and they should be encouraged to do so. We recognize, however, that special circumstances may make attendance at Dignity NY services impossible. The pastoral counselor may, if he or she deems it appropriate, invite the couple to join the chapter. The chapter realizes that some couples may be seeking marriage as a sacrament, others seeking a holy union, and others a blessing of a union. The reasons and desires of couples are to be discerned in pastoral counseling and Dignity NY supports the rights of individuals to form their own consciences on the matter of what type of ceremony they desire and need.

Does a civil divorce preclude the performance of a marriage ceremony, holy union or blessing of same-sex couples?
Dignity New York holds that civil divorce should not preclude the performance of these ceremonies.

If one, or both, members of the couple are still in a civil marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership, or if one or both have previously had a religious ceremony that recognizes a partnership does this preclude Dignity/NY offering a marriage, holy union or blessing of same sex couples?
Dignity New York believes that neither member may be bound by a prior marriage or unresolved commitment.

Has Dignity NY drawn up a list of recommended sites for the ceremony or contract with the owners of any particular site?
Dignity NY has not done this. It brings us too close to the role of marriage planner and distracts from what we do best and what we have to offer, which is a spiritual or religious recognition of a same sex partnership.

Does Dignity NY suggest or require couples to meet with a pastoral counselor?
Dignity NY emphasizes the central role of pastoral counselors in the process. First in determining the reasons why the couple were seeking Dignity NY’s involvement, in dialoguing with the couple to determine their own desires and reasons in this area, to make arrangements with our own priests, to determine if no impediments exist, and to help with some liturgical planning. Much of this has been the practice in the past and we recommend it continue. The pastoral counselors in the past have been both lay and clergy and we recommend this continued practice.

What of clergy, associated with Dignity/NY, working on their own?
Dignity NY recognizes that some clergy associated with Dignity NY may wish to perform same sex marriages, holy unions, or blessings of couples, outside of the context of the Dignity NY organization. We only recommend that when doing so that they do not represent their work to the couples or others as part of the Dignity NY ministry.

New York, June 18, 2007 – Dear Assembly Member O’Donnell,

I write today in support of marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers. I am writing on behalf of Dignity/New York, an organization of LGBT Roman Catholics, our families and supporters. We are a chapter of the national organization DignityUSA, founded in 1969, with offices in Washington, D.C. and chapters throughout the country.

For 35 years, we have ministered to the spiritual and social needs of thousands of LGBT Catholics from throughout the New York City metropolitan region by holding a weekly Mass, working for equal rights in the Catholic Church and society, and through many other activities.

Unfortunately, the bishops of the Catholic Church have been outspoken in their opposition to same-sex marriage rights. However, many polls in New York State and elsewhere show that everyday Catholics are increasingly supportive of such rights.

Our members include men and women from every conceivable walk of life. Some have been involved in relationships with their same-sex partners for decades, and many are registered as domestic partners in New York City. Those who wished to obtain greater legal recognition of their relationships have been forced to travel to Massachusetts, Canada, Vermont, New Jersey and other jurisdictions.

Surely it is time for New York State to honor its historic role as a leader in promoting justice and equality for all citizens by enacting legislation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Yours sincerely,
Jeffrey A. Stone
Secretary, Dignity/New York