Equally Blessed laments suggestion LGBT parade could "morph" into Ku Klux Klan rally
Members of Equally Blessed, a coalition of four Catholic groups that work on behalf of equal treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people within the church and the wider society, released this statement regarding remarks in which Cardinal Francis George of Chicago expressed fears that the LGBT movement would “morph” into the Ku Klux Klan and persecute Catholics:
In expressing fears that a joyful, celebratory gay pride parade could erupt into anti-Catholic violence, Cardinal Francis George has demeaned and demonized LGBT people in a manner unworthy of his office.
In suggesting that the Catholic hierarchy has reason to fear LGBT people in the same way that blacks, Jews, Catholics and other minorities had reason to fear the murderous nightriders of the Ku Klux Klan, he has insulted the memory of the victims of the Klan’s violence and brutality.
In raising the specter of violent intimidation, the cardinal neglects the fact that Catholics in this country are already beaten, bullied and murdered due to their attackers’ attitudes about human sexuality. But many of those Catholics are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. And the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has steadfastly refused to speak out on this issue.
LGBT people, their families, and their allies have no fight with the Catholic Church. Recent surveys have demonstrated that its members are more supportive of LGBT rights than any other Christian denomination. We have a principled opposition to the positions of the Catholic hierarchy and the way it uses its influence to force its narrow theological understanding on the wider society. Cardinal George’s offensive comments are further evidence of just how insensitive and out of touch the hierarchy is, and why opposition to its views is necessary.
Members of Equally Blessed reiterate our call for the formation of an Advisory Panel to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops composed of LGBT Catholics and families in order to prevent such hurtful statements from our leaders in the future.
