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DignityUSA History
Early in 1969, Father Patrick X. Nidorf, O.S.A., an Augustinian priest and psychologist, starts a ministry for gay and lesbian Catholics as an extension of his professional work. Father Pat would later describe the beginnings of Dignity in his own words as follows:
"The Catholic gay people whom I had met were frequently bothered by ethical problems and identity with the Church. It seemed obvious that the Church wasn't meeting the needs of the gay community. In counseling gay Catholics, there always seemed to be an excessive and unreal problem of guilt that was sometimes reinforced in the confessional instead of being resolved. With these ideas rattling around in my brain, I wrote a paper on a proposed group for Catholic gays and presented it to our members at a Provincial meeting. Most of the priests seemed to favor the idea of forming such a group and I did."
Word of the new ministry spreads first by word of mouth and later Father Pat places advertisements in the Los Angeles Free Press asking people to contact him in San Diego for discussion and possible meetings. Since he doesn't want religious fanatics or homophobics to disrupt or dominate meetings, he requires the return of a completed application form (and when in doubt a personal interview). He charges $5 a year for participation and requires that all be 21 years of age and have a membership card, which he issues. The monthly gatherings are closed to anyone else.
After several meetings are held in San Diego and alternately in Los Angeles (because that's where the majority of respondents to the ads live), Father Pat decides to have all gatherings in Los Angeles where the sessions are held in private homes.
Father Pat writes and distributes a kind of information letter to members giving the date and location of the next meeting. (The earliest issue of this newsletter on file at the International Gay Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles is dated February, 1970.)
Father Pat later notes that "the name Dignity just came to me as appropriate since one of our basic goals was to bring dignity into the spiritual and social lives of some very special people."
In January, Dignity places its first ad in the Advocate:
"Catholic Gays
Join DIGNITY, a Catholic group of intelligent gay men and women. We share successful ways of bringing dignity into our lives. Honest talk/ sensitivity/sincere people. Applicants screened. Write: Fr. Pat, Box 4486, N. Park St., San Diego, CA 92104."
Dignity continues to advertise in the Los Angeles Free Press as well as the Advocate and membership steadily increases. Although located in Los Angeles, Dignity from the very beginning attracts members-at-large from around the country who join in response to the ads.
In May, Father Pat asks Bob Fourier to draw up a Constitution for Dignity. Bob writes the first draft of Dignity's Statement of Position and Purpose. The second paragraph of the original statement, which has played such a pivotal part in Dignity's evolution, read as follows:
"We believe that homosexuality is a natural variation on the use of sex. It implies no sickness or immorality. Those with such sexual orientation have a natural right to use their power of sex in a way that is both responsible and fulfilling.... and should use it with a sense of pride."
In June, Bob Fourier is appointed by Father Nidorf as the first General Chairman of Dignity.
On September 26, Dignity's first meeting on Church property is held in the basement auditorium of St. Brendan's Parish in Los Angeles.
Throughout the year, three articles on homosexuality by Father John McNeill, S.J., New York City, appear in The Homiletic and Pastoral Review.
The membership becomes more and more active and wants recognition from the Los Angeles Diocese. Although Father Nidorf does not think sending a letter to the Bishop is prudent, "after continual prodding" a letter is sent. It does not meet with favorable results. The Bishop sends for Father Nidorf.
On February 11, Father Nidorf and the Provincial of his Augustinian Order meet with Los Angeles Co-Adjutor Archbishop Timothy Manning, who is offended that Father Nidorf is working in the Los Angeles diocese without his permission and thinks that the principles of Dignity are "untenable." The Archbishop forbids Father Pat to have anything further to do with the group, and Father decides to respect the Archbishop's wishes.
On February 20, Father Nidorf announces his resignation to some ninety members of Dignity at the group's monthly potluck/meeting. Gloom turns to determination after an inspiring talk by Bob Fournier, and the group strongly agrees to continue Dignity as a lay led ministry.
On March 10, the first national Dignity Newsletter is published. Bob Fournier is the Editor.
On March 20, Dignity begins a monthly speakers program in conjunction with its meetings. The first speaker is Evelyn Hooker, Ph.D., Research Psychologist at UCLA.
In April, annual Dignity dues are raised to $10.
From August 13-15, Dignity's first retreat is held at St. Andrew's Benedictine Priory in Valyermo, California.
The following appears in the September 5 newsletter:
"OUTSIDE LOS ANGELES: If you live outside the Los Angeles area, why not try to organize a chapter of Dignity for your area. Write to Joe Gilgamesh for particulars. It would be a great thing if gay Catholics could be organized throughout the country. Our voice would be much more effective in the Church if coming from one organization. We would have a common clearinghouse of ideas and eventually a national Board of Directors. Think about it. Contact others. Let's hear from you."
In November, Dignity/Louisville becomes the first chapter of Dignity outside Southern California.
On February 19, the First Annual Meeting of Dignity is held in Los Angeles. Seventy-four members attend the Potluck Dinner/Election including 22 priests. The membership committee reports that "Dignity has 198 members, including 25 priests, four brothers and two seminarians. 108 members are from the Los Angeles area. The others are from twenty states and the District of Columbia as well as seven countries (Philippines, Australia, Canada, West Indies, England, Holland, Switzerland)." New officers elected at the meeting are:
- Joe Gilgamesh, President
- Jerry August, Vice President
- Ron Aviano, Secretary
- Ken Pavlick, Treasurer (*)
(*) Bill Washburn assumes the Treasurer's position in October, 1972.
In March, Dignity/Los Angeles begins to meet at the Los Angeles Community College Newman Center.
On March 16, the National Federation of Priests Councils passes a resolution calling for the formation of a task force to develop a model for Christian ministry to the homosexual community.
On June 23, an article on Dignity appears in "The Reporters Notebook" column of the National Catholic Reporter.
In August, Dignity produces six performances of the play "The Fantasticks" as a fund raising project.
In September, Joe Gilgamesh tours various cities around the country including Chicago, Washington DC, Louisville, Boston and New York City to talk with individuals interested in the Dignity movement. (Prior to going to New York, Gilgamesh corresponds with Father John McNeill. He tells him about Dignity and asks permission to reprint the articles from the Homiletic and Pastoral Review, which are the basis for the original Statement of Position and Purpose. for Dignity members. Father McNeill grants permission and also, at Joe Gilgamesh's request, works to convene the first meeting of Dignity/New York. In response to an ad in the Village Voice, over 200 attend this meeting which is held in October.)
In October, Pat Allen travels to meet with individuals interested in forming Dignity chapters in Washington DC, Baltimore, New York and Boston.
On October 30, an Administrative Services Group (ASG) is formed to oversee all aspects of Dignity outside of Los Angeles. The ASG is in essence the embryo out of which DignityUSA and the "national" Dignity movement was to grow. ASG responsibilities are divided as follows:
- Pat Allen (Responsible for overseeing all Chapters outside of the Los Angeles area)
- Bob Fournier (National Newsletter)
- Ron Aviano (Recording Secretary)
- Larry Collison (Secretary)
- Bill Washburn (Treasurer)
- Charlie Wells (Publications)
In December, Dignity's Statement of Position and Purpose is forwarded on national office letterhead to all members as an attachment to the monthly newsletter. The letterhead lists ten chapters of Dignity: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Louisville, Chicago, San Diego, Washington DC, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle.
In September, the provisional Constitution is sent to all members along with a ballot via the national newsletter.
In October, the National Office relocates from Los Angeles to 755 Boylston Street, Room #514, Boston.
In the January issue of the national newsletter, it is reported that "the proposed Constitution has failed to be ratified by the required two-thirds of the votes cast." Concerns include lack of representation for "at large" members who don't belong to an official Dignity chapter; the unwieldy size of the Board of Governors as chapter growth continues etc
In February, The National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Research Committee publishes Principles to Guide Confessors in Questions of Homosexuality.
The February 15 issue of Commonweal carries an article by theologian Gregory Baum entitled "Catholic Homosexuals." The national newsletter calls the article "a milestone in the Gay Catholic movement."
In March, the National Federation of Priests Councils adopts a "Civil Rights of Homosexual Persons" resolution which reads:
"BE IT RESOLVED that the NFPC hereby declares its opposition to all civil laws which make consensual homosexual acts between adults a crime and thus urges their repeal; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NFPC also express its opposition to homosexuality as such being the basis of discrimination against homosexuals in employment, governmental services, housing and child rearing involving natural or adoptive parents."
On March 17, Our Sunday Visitor, a national Catholic weekly, recommends to a reader in its question and answer column that Dignity be contacted for information on ministry to homosexuals.
During the week of June 3-7, a Conference on Gay Ministry is held at Bergamo Center in Dayton, Ohio. Presenters include Father Tom Oddo (National Secretary) and Sister Jeannine Gramick, SSND (CO-Chaplain of Dignity/Baltimore.)
During the last weekend of June, some 150 Dignity members from around the country (led by the three national officers) march in New York's Gay Pride Parade.
In July, Brian McNaught, President of Dignity/Detroit and a columnist for The Michigan Catholic has his weekly column dropped after an interview about him and Dignity/Detroit is published in the Detroit News.
In August, James Osbourne of New York founds Dignity's National Prison Ministry.
Over Labor Day Weekend, the national officers and other gay religious leaders from around the country attend a conference in Detroit sponsored by Dignity/Detroit. The purpose of the conference is to provide input on a major report the Catholic Theological Association's Committee on Sexuality plans to issue in June; to support Brian McNaught in his struggles with The Michigan Catholic and to meet with representatives of the Salvatorian Order who have formed a Gay Ministry Task Force within their Justice and Peace Commission. Concrete plans are laid to jointly edit a book on theological/pastoral resources for gays and lesbians. On Labor Day, some 250 people including representatives from seven Dignity chapters celebrate a "Mass of Solidarity" with Brian McNaught. The Mass is followed by a rally in front of the Chancery Office to continue the protest of Brian's ill treatment.
On September 14, Brian McNaught begins a water only fast to call the Church to a new recognition of its responsibilities in the area of gay civil rights. Dignity members from around the country join Brian for one day of fasting.
On October 2, Bishops Thomas Gumbleton and Joseph Imesch of the Detroit Archdiocese send Brian McNaught a letter which says in part that the Catholic Church has "a serious obligation to root out structures and attitudes that discriminate against the homosexual as a person. We will exert our leadership in behalf of this effort. We hope for your continued cooperation with us in trying to achieve this goal." In the December issue of the newsletter, Paul Diederich sums up Dignity's 1974 accomplishments as follows:
"… we have grown from nine chapters to over thirty, our membership has tripled and then some, we've reached the consciousness of our Church on a number of occasions, in New York and Detroit especially. Dignity has achieved affiliation with the Salvatorian Gay Ministry Task Force, and with Acceptance, Australia's organization for Gay Catholics. Our communications with other Gay groups, religious and secular, has been vastly enhanced. It has been a good year."
In January, representatives from Acceptance, including the national coordinator, Gary Pye, meet with Dignity's national officers in Boston and issue a joint proclamation pledging "solidarity, oneness of purpose and affiliation in the work of making Christ's love better known to all men and women."
In January, the national newsletter announces that "by a near unanimous vote of the Dignity chapters, a revised schedule of dues is effective immediately: Individual Members $15; Lovers = $25. Renewals will be at these fees when present membership expires."
The May newsletter announces that "the National Office has gathered and printed a group of articles on homosexuality, written from a Catholic perspective." Called Theological/Pastoral Resources, the packet is available for $1.00 to cover printing and postage.
In May, Dignity also publishes Homosexuality: A Worksheet for Catholics by Father Robert Nugent.
In June, a new Constitution for Dignity is forwarded to the membership for approval after having been reviewed by the leadership of all of the chapters and overwhelmingly approved for submission to the entire membership for a vote. It calls for the formation of a "Board of Consultors which would advise and direct the National Officers in all matters of national concern." The proposed Board of Consultors would be "composed of the chief executive officer(s) of all the local chapters of Dignity as defined by the individual chapter's by-laws."
From June 16-20, the Second Annual Conference on Gay Ministry is held at Bergamo Center in Dayton, Ohio.
On June 17, Paul Diederich and Father Tom Oddo along with Hal Maloney of Dignity/Washington meet with the Liaison Committee of the National Conference of Bishops (NCCB) under Bishop Warren Boudreaux at the Conference Headquarters in Washington DC. The meeting is the outcome of months of planning by the National Officers and the National Chairperson for Social Action, Brian McNaught, in cooperation with concerned people within the NCCB and the U.S. Catholic Conference. The Dignity delegation spends about an hour and a half reviewing a presentation which Bishop Boudreaux will give to all of the Bishops at their November meeting. The presentation outlines Dignity's mission and encourages the Bishops to condemn discrimination, support civil rights and assist Dignity in our pastoral outreach to gays and lesbians.
On June 29, the proposed Constitution is adopted by a vote of 92% in favor; 8% opposed.
The September 8 edition of Time magazine has a cover story on homosexuality which mentions Dignity and has a picture of Dignity/Boston celebrating Eucharist.
On November 16, Dignity, the Salvatorian Gay Ministry Task Force and Catholics for Gay Rights hold a National Day of Reconciliation of Gay Catholics with their Church. It is a day of prayer and fasting and includes a pilgrimage to Washington DC and attendance at the annual NCCB meeting during which Dignity representatives meet informally with Archbishop Joseph Bernardin and Bishop James Rausch, the President and General Secretary of the NCCB; and formally with the Bishops' Liaison Committee.
The December newsletter announces the publication of a 20-page booklet directed "toward Catholics at large who want to learn more about homosexuality and to gay Catholics who are attempting to integrate their sexual orientation with their religious beliefs and practices." The publication is entitled Homosexual Catholics: A Primer for Discussion and is authored by three Dignity chaplains, Sister Jeannine Gramick, Father Robert Nugent and Father Tom Oddo.
On January 16, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issues a document entitled Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics. In response to the document, Dignity issues a press release reaffirming "its call to the Church and the U.S. Bishops to appoint a committee of theologians, social scientists, and gay persons to more adequately study the question of homosexuality, its implications for Church and society."
On June 26, Dignity's second annual National Day of Reconciliation of Gay Catholics and their Church is held.
On September 3, John J. McNeill, S.J. publishes The Church and the Homosexual. He is later forbidden by the Vatican "to write or speak on the issue of homosexuality in any of its aspects: theological, psychological or sociological." The Vatican also withdraws the imprimi Potest (permission topublish) granted two years earlier by McNeill's Jesuit Provincial after four years of peer review by moral theologians both in the United States and Rome, all of whom approved publication.
On September 16, Paul Diederich and Father John McNeill appear on the Phil Donohue Show.
In October Dignity/New York, Inc. publishes the first edition of INSIGHT, a quarterly of gay Catholic Opinion. Printed on glossy paper, with 14 pages, the cover price is $1.00.
From October 21-23, Dignity is officially invited to participate in "Call to Action": U.S. Bishops' Conference Liberty and Justice for All" in Detroit. The conference is designed to formulate a five-year plan of social action for the nations' bishops. It is attended by 1400 delegates from every diocese including representatives from over one hundred Catholic organizations. Bishops from 110 dioceses also attend. Brian McNaught is the sole openly gay delegate representing Dignity to the conference although Sister Jeannine Gramick, Father Bob Nugent and several members of Dignity/Detroit are on hand to help Brian lobby the delegates in support of Dignity's resolutions.
The November issue of the national newsletter reports the Call to Action conference made the following historical recommendations:
"... that the Church actively seek to serve the pastoral needs of those persons with a homosexual orientation; to root out those structures and attitudes which discriminate against homosexuals as persons and to join the struggle by homosexual men and women for their basic constitutional rights to employment housing and immigration ...."
".... that the Church fight in society and within its own structures discrimination based on 'sexual orientation'"
"...that the Church encourage and affirm the pastoral efforts of Dignity, the organization of gay and concerned Catholics to reconcile the Church with its homosexual"
In January, Dignity sends letters to all Roman Catholic members of the House of Representatives urging them to support the national gay rights bill.
On May 2-5, the NCCB meets in Chicago and votes to refer the 182 resolutions from the Call to Action conference in Detroit to various NCCB committees for further consideration. Included are resolutions commending Dignity's ministry and challenging the church "to root out those structures and attitudes, which discriminate against homosexuals as persons." Most resolutions concerning Dignity and homosexuality are referred to the Pastoral Research and Practices Committee, headed by Bishop James Hickey.
In June, a gay rights ordinance is defeated in Dade County, Florida with the help of Anita Bryant and Archbishop Coleman S. Carroll of Miami. Dignity with others in the gay community counteract Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign by launching a counter-offensive called "We ARE Your Children."
On June 20, the report on sexuality commissioned by the Catholic Theological Society of America is published in a book entitled Human Sexuality: New Directions in American Catholic Thought.
On June 26, the National Assembly of Religious Brothers passes a resolution that states: "Be it resolved that we support gay men and women in their struggle for human rights and dignity."
On July 1, Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen of Seattle issues an important statement condemning discrimination against homosexuals and offering his support for civil rights legislation.
On July 29-30, over 400 delegates attend a National Gay Leadership Conference in Denver co-sponsored by Dignity, M.C.C., the National Gay Task Force and the Gay Rights National Lobby. The goals of the conference are to carefully analyze and learn from the defeat of the gay rights bill in Dade County; assist local people in the field to build effective media, lobbying and religious education programs; to develop resolutions of unified action in support of civil rights. Every gay organization in the country is invited to send two delegates to the conference. Paul Diederich convenes the conference on Friday evening by introducing keynote speakers Ginny Apuzzo (GRNL), Jean O'Leary (NGTF) and the Reverend Troy Perry (MCC).
In October, the national office is relocated to San Diego.
With the Fall edition, INSIGHT becomes the publication of Dignity/Brooklyn and the cover price is $2.00. It is printed on heavy stock paper and has 22 pages.
In 1977, Jeannine Gramick, SSND and Robert Nugent, SDS, co-found New Ways Ministry, a ministry of Reconciliation and Social Justice for Catholic gay and lesbian persons and other sexual minorities, their families and friends and the Catholic community. The ministry is involved in conducting workshops, retreats, talks, counseling, consultation and research.
On January 3, the National Officers and Regional Directors are informed that Walter Kay has resigned as President. Per the Constitution and By-Laws, Carla Kaesbauer, national secretary, assumes the office of President on a temporary basis.
On March 11-12, the first meeting of the new Board of Directors is held in San Diego.
On April 1-2, Dignity/Ottawa hosts the first Canadian Conference of Dignity chapters at the University of Ottawa. Speakers include Gregory Baum; Sister Jeannine Gramick; Brian McNaught and Father Robert Nugent. Carla Kaesbauer, Acting President and Secretary, and Madeline Ritchie, Treasurer, attend the conference.
On April 25, a gay rights ordinance is defeated in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On May 9, a gay rights ordinance is defeated in Wichita, Kansas. Dignity/Wichita, a chapter in formation headed by Martin Mendoza, joins forces with the Catholic Worker movement and asks Dignity national and regional to help fight the ordinance. Dignity/Chicago responds by printing 50,000 pamphlets. Region VI brings in a busload of volunteers to help leaflet Wichita churches the Sunday before the election. Dignity National Officers Madeline Ritchie and Carla Kaesbauer fly in along with Bud Guiles, National newsletter editor, and Jim Wolfe, Social Action Committee Chair. Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent come from Washington DC. Dignity/Los Angeles sends Father Jim Fleck and a check to pay for an ad in the Wichita paper the day before the election.
On May 19, it is announced that Paul C. Weidig, Sacramento, has been elected President of Dignity to fill the remainder of Walter Kay's term.
On May 23, a gay rights ordinance is defeated in Eugene, Oregon.
The success and momentum of homophobic bigotry encourage California State Senator John Briggs to get Proposition 6 (an anti-gay teacher proposal) on the November ballot. Jim Highland assisted by Sister Eileen DeLong and Father Jim Fleck, forms Catholics for Human Dignity (CHD), the first statewide political lobby for Catholics advocating human rights for gay and lesbian people. CHD designs a button that helps raise almost $15,000 to educate and politicize Catholics around the gay rights issue. CHD also awards its Pro Patria et Ecclesia award to leaders who oppose the Proposition including Governors Jerry Brown and Ronald Reagan, Mayor Tom Bradley and members of the Los Angeles City Council. Proposition 6 is defeated.
Once planned to be the last edition, the Summer issue of INSIGHT "becomes not an end but a gateway to greater outreach to the non-gay communities of the Christian Churches."
From June 1-10, Paul Weidig represents Dignity at the Acceptance convention in Sydney, Australia.
The October issue of the national newsletter includes samples of 24 possible logos for Dignity, which are forwarded to the membership as part of a "Logo Contest."
From October 22-24, Dignity representatives participate in the Catholic Committee on Urban Ministry's Annual Conference at Notre Dame. In November, Proposition 6 is defeated in California and a gay rights ordinance passes in Seattle. Both victories are assisted by tireless efforts by Dignity activists
The January issue of the national newsletter reports that Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Bob Nugent have received a $38,000 grant for a two-year sociological study of the "coming out process and coping strategies of gay women." The study will involve confidential, in-depth interviews with 100 women in the Washington-Baltimore area.
The 3-year old publication, INSIGHT, distinguishes itself with Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Edward Prucha listed as editors and contributing writers include Brian McNaught, John McNeill, Louie Crew and Robert Nugent. The byline for the publication changes to read "A Quarterly of Lesbian/Gay Christian Opinion."
The January newsletter also announces that the logo submitted by Jeff Godshall from Dignity/Detroit is chosen as the official logo for Dignity. (This logo was used until 2000 with the only change being the addition of "/USA" to form the "DignityUSA" logo. The typestyle and look remained the same as submitted by Jeff in late 1978.)
The January newsletter also publishes guidelines for the use of inclusive language in liturgy.
The March/April national newsletter announces that Deenie Dudley of Atlanta has been elected the first woman Regional Director of Dignity.
In August, the Dutch hierarchy publishes a discussion document rejecting social discrimination against homosexual people called Homosexual People in Society. New Ways Ministry translates the document and publishes it in English.
In October, Dignity banners greet Pope John Paul II at every stop in his six-city tour of the United States.
On October 14, the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights includes a contingent of 350 Dignity members representing 27 chapters.
On November 13, DignityUSA executive officers meet in Washington DC with members of the Bishops Liaison Committee with Priests, Religious and Laity.
On December 19, Frank Scheuren, Troy Perry and representatives of the National Gay Task Force and the Gay Rights National Lobby present nationwide petitions for Gay Rights legislation to President Jimmy Carter's representatives at the White House.
In February, Dignity opens a permanent national office at 1500 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite #11, Washington, DC.
On February 4, Frank Scheuren and Jim Highland meet with Cardinal Timothy Manning in Los Angeles to discuss Dignity.
On February 17, the Association of Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago honors Dignity/Chicago at a banquet as "Organization of the Year."
On April 28, President Carter invites representatives from 21 lesbian and gay religious groups to the White House to meet with his religious liaison, Rev. Robert L. Maddox, Jr. Representing Dignity are national officers Frank Scheuren, Elinor Crocker and Joseph Totten as well as Insight Magazine managing editor Gabriel Lanci.
In the spring, John Boswell's book: Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality is published by the University of Chicago Press.
On July 28, Frank Scheuren (accompanied by Region IX Director Chris Patterson and Co-Chairs of Dignity/ San Francisco Jim Ehrhart and Ken Kamman) meets with Archbishop John R. Quinn, Archbishop of San Francisco and President of the NCCB, to discuss Dignity and NCCB dialogue.
On October 25, Joseph Totten resigns as National Treasurer and is replaced by Marvin Marks
The February edition of the national newsletter has a special insert on "Women in Dignity." It recaps contributions made by women to Dignity at the national, regional and chapter levels. It also includes a variety of personal stories and reflections.
Dignity membership fee is $20.00. A document is published showing how the fee gets distributed.
Meeting in March in Lobbock, TX the National Board of Directors unanimously defines Chapters and Chapters-in-Formation as "groupings of no fewer than ten persons in a locale."
Nine candidates representing three slates for "International" President, Secretary and Treasurer are listed in the June-July edition of the national newsletter.
On August 1, Dignity announces the publication of Brian McNaught's book: A Disturbed Peace — Selected Writings of an Irish Catholic Homosexual. A copy of the book is later sent to every bishop in the country, paid for by a generous donation from a Dignity/Chicago chaplain.
The Fall issue of the national newsletter includes reports from the national officers. President Frank Scheuren notes four major accomplishments in summing up his first term:
- The establishment of the office in Washington and our 501(3)(c) status.
- The re-establishment of some type of relationship between the executive officers, office, and the chapters.
- The very strong foundation and visibility with the NCCB.
- The establishment of strong ties and the starting of very strong coalitions with all types of groups.
The Fall 1981 issue of the national newsletter has the first ever mention of the impending AIDS epidemic in an article entitled: "Gay Disease."
Dignity announces a September publishing date for its revised and updated Theological Pastoral Resources Booklet.
John Boswell's Christianity. Social Tolerance and Homosexuality receives top prize at the 1981 American Book Awards for History.
The February edition of the national newsletters lists nine national standing committees:
- Women's Concerns
- Constitution & By-laws
- Special Areas of Ministry
- Finance
- Spiritual Development
- Social Involvement & Education
- Communications
- Prision Ministry
- Fundraising
With the March newsletter begins a new column from the Committee for Women's Concerns entitled "Moving the Mountains — Not for Women Only."
In the April newsletter Region XI announces the sixth annual Dignity/Canada/Dignité conference to be held in Edmonton, Alberta May 21-24.
In August, U.S. Catholic runs a cover story entitled: "Why Gay Catholics Won't Be Locked Out of the Church."
In November, Frank Scheuren serves as co-coordinator of the Constituting Convention in Atlanta for The Religious Council for the Advancement of Lesbians and Gays. The Council is a coalition of gay and lesbian religious organizations across North America.
In 1983 the following resolution is adopted at a meeting of the National Assembly of Religious Brothers:
"We the members of the National Assembly of Religious Brothers wish to stand with all groups in their struggles for justice and, ...we believe that those whose sexual orientation is homosexual have been discriminated against by society at large as well as in the Church and, we believe that all men and women, including those of homosexual orientation, have a right to a full life in society as well as in the Church. Be it resolved that we are opposed to any unjust discrimination against those of homosexual orientation in society at large and in the Church, including its ministry, and... we the members of the NARB take an active role, together with our President and Board, in promoting legislation and other projects that favor human rights and justice for all, including those of homosexual orientation."
In December, John Hager begins publication of a Monthly Memo from the officers to the membership to supplement the national newsletter and to keep members better informed of Dignity's activities at the national level.
On January 20, the national officers attend the Fifteenth Anniversary celebration for Dignity/Los Angeles.
On February 19, a column in Ann Landers encourages a closeted gay man to contact Dignity, Inc saying: "You'll meet compassionate and understanding people there who will calm your fears and help you find a comfortable niche in society." (Dignity receives over 600 letters in response to being mentioned in the column.)
On October 4-5, the Board meets in Chicago. Among other things, Ernest Neumann, Direct Region 10, presents a colorful, beautifully framed Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II to Dignity, Inc. The framed certificate graces the walls of our Washington, DC office, even though we were subsequently notified that the blessing had been issued in error and was being officially revoked!
On October 6, a Constitutional Convention is held at the Bismarck Hotel in Chicago to revise DignityUSA's Constitution and By-Laws.
Throughout the year, John Hager interviews individuals interested in serving on Dignity's Task Force on Sexual Ethics and appoints the following individuals to serve on the Task Force: Nate Gruel, Chair, Kevin Calegari, Mari Castellanos, Jim D., Ed Dempsey, Jim Mallon, Diana Raffle, Ron Schulte, Wayne W., Sue W.
In May, the first face to face meeting of the Task Force on Sexual Ethics is held.
In the spring, the Vatican orders Father Charles Curran, a theologian at Catholic University in Washington, DC, to retract his views on birth control and other sexual issues or face the loss of his authorization to teach Roman Catholic doctrine.
On April 12-13, the Board of Directors meets in Tucson. Among other things, the Board authorizes that copies of A Disturbed Peace (Brian McNaught) and The Church and the Homosexual (John McNeill S.J.) be purchased for re-sale to members.
On May 16-19, Dignity/Canada/Dignite holds its first national conference in Montreal. All four Dignity officers (Jim Bussen, Elinor Crocker, Jim Pilarski and Tom Cunningham) attend along with John Hager, Immediate Past-President.
On October 11-12, the Board of Directors meets in Portland, OR. Among other things, the Board agrees to use the name DignityUSA in the future although Dignity, Inc. will remain the legal name of the organization.
On October 30, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith releases a "Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons," stating, "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder."
On November 1, Jim Bussen appears on CBS This Morning to respond to the Letter before flying off to Washington DC where DignityUSA and other concerned groups hold a press conference outside of the residence of Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Pio Laghi in Washington, DC to protest the Vatican Letter.
On November 2, John McNeill, S.J. issues a press release stating that he has been informed by his Jesuit Superior that he "must give up all public ministry to gay people or (be) dismissed from the Society of Jesus." Father McNeill announces in the release that "as a Jesuit priest, as a moral theologian, as a psychotherapist, as a person who is himself gay, and as a human being" he cannot obey the order in conscience.
In December (two weeks before Christmas), the first eviction of a Dignity chapter as a result of the Vatican Letter occurs when Dignity/Syracuse is evicted from Church property.
More Dignity chapters are informed by their Bishops that they can no longer use Church property. Included are Atlanta, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Nassau, New York, Pensacola, Richmond, Suffolk, Vancouver, BC, Washington DC. The evictions are a direct result of the October, 1986 Vatican Letter which states that groups which do not agree with church teachings cannot meet on church property.
On February 7-9, the Board of Directors meets in Miami. Highlights include:
- Board approval of Guidelines Concerning Adverse Actions Against Dignity Chapters to help chapters to respond to possible evictions in light of the Vatican Letter.
- Board approval of a full-page advertisement in a national publication to respond to Vatican Letter.
On April 22, Jim Bussen, National President, meets in St. Louis with Archbishop John May, President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bussen asks May to use his influence in a variety of areas including stopping the expulsion of chapters from church property; issuing an AIDS pastoral letter; instituting a program to educate on lesbian/gay violence; revising the current translation of I Corinthians; and using the terms gay/lesbian when referring to us.
On April 27, DignityUSA places a full-page ad in Newsweek magazine in response to the Vatican Letter and the expulsion of chapters from Church property. It is the first time a national gay/lesbian organization has ever bought a full page, full circulation ad. The ad is paid for by a bequest from the estate of John Willig, a longtime Dignity member from Washington, DC. (Time magazine's advertising department originally approves publication of the ad but Time's Editorial Board steps in and refuses to publish it.)
From September 10-19, Pope John Paul II tours the United States with stops in Miami, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco and Detroit. Peaceful, prayerful, Dignity gatherings greet him at most stops along his journey.
People Magazine does a story in conjunction with the Papal Visit entitled: "Nine Americans the Pope Won't Want to Meet ... and Why." Pictured as one of the nine: National President, Jim Bussen!
On October 11, a large contingent from Dignity participates in the national March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
In June, Jim Bussen attends the National Association for Lay Ministry Conference at Loyola University in Chicago.
From June 26-July 1, the first National Catholic AIDS Ministry Conference is held at Notre Dame University.
In September, Beacon Press in Boston publishes John McNeill's book: Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays. Lesbians, Their Lovers, Families and Friends
Dignity/Canada/Dignité holds its Second Biennial Convention in Calgary.
From November 18-20, National President Jim Bussen attends "Creating Change: A National Conference for Gay and Lesbian Organizations" in Washington, DC.
From January 13-15, Jim Bussen represents Dignity as an uninvited guest at a meeting of lay Catholic leaders in Belleville, IL. The group eventually becomes the Leadership Council of Catholic Laity (LCCL).
From July 2 3-28, the Second National Catholic AIDS Conference is held at the University of Notre Dame.
In December, the final report of the Task Force on Sexual Ethics is forwarded to all members via a special focus issue of the national newsletter.
In February, DignityUSA's national office in Washington, DC celebrates its tenth anniversary.
The April issue of the national newsletter is a special focus issue on "Women in Dignity: Women in the Church."
On April 3, President Pat Roche sends an Open Letter to the Bishops of the United States in care of Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, President, National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The letter calls upon the bishops to enter into dialogue with Dignity leaders on issues such as AIDS Ministry, Civil Rights, Anti-Gay Violence, Sexism, Prejudice and Homophobia.
On April 9, Archbishop Pilarczyk responds that he has "many reservations" about meeting with Dignity leaders due to "fundamental differences between the Bishops of the United States and Dignity." He, nonetheless, says "I am open to the possibility of such a meeting but only after you (Roche) meet with the General Secretary of the NCCB, Robert Lynch."
In May, Dignity/Canada/Dignité holds its Third Biennial Conference in Ottawa.
In June, Pat Roche meets in Santa Clara (site of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops summer meeting) with Msgr. Robert Lynch to discuss a framework for possible talks with Archbishop Pilarczyk and ongoing dialogue with the NCCB on gay/lesbian issues.
The July/August issue of the national newsletter is a special focus issue on Dignity's AIDS Ministry efforts.
From August 10-12, the national Board meets in Washington, DC. Highlights:
- A formal response is formulated raising concerns with the NCCB's second draft of "One in Christ Jesus: A Pastoral Response to the Concerns of Women for Church and Society."
- A new Chapter-in-Formation Manual is finalized and published to give newly forming chapters a practical, step by step, how-to guide.
In November the United States Catholic Conference releases a 185-page document called Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning. The document includes a section titled: "Persons With a Homosexual Orientation."
The second quarter edition of the national newsletter includes a multi-page "special section" devoted to "issues of civil rights and violence relating to the glb communities."
The ssecond quarter edition of the national newsletter carries the following obituary:
"Robert Fournier, the first president of Dignity, died in late November (1990) although word of his passing only came to us recently. He was the Pension Benefits Administrator for the City of Beverly Hills, CA at the time of his death and in recent years, devoted much time to an avocation of painting.
Our sympathy is extended to his lover, Anastasio, his father, brother and sister and all Bob's friends as he continues his journey with God. May he be blessed for all the seeds he nurtured in the early formative days of DignityUSA."
A new national office 800 number is installed "to enhance services to our chapters and membership."
In November, Dignity co-sponsors the Call to Action Conference in Chicago.
In February, the Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), of which DignityUSA is a founding member, holds it's first meeting in Chicago.
The national Board meets in Washington DC from February 14-17. Barry Goodinson, DignityUSA's first Executive Director, is introduced to the Board. The Restructuring Task Force meets in DC over the same weekend and formulates a Vision Statement as a baseline on which to build the rationale for changes to our national structure.
On March 6, the Leadership Team of LCCL (Leadership Council of Catholic Laity) officially invites DignityUSA to become a full organizational member.
From March 27-29, New Ways Ministry's third national symposium: "Lesbian and Gay People and Catholicism: The State of the Question" is held in Chicago. Three Bishops, Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit; Kenneth Untener of Saginaw, Michigan; and William Hughes of Covington, Kentucky; conduct one of the panels for the some 500 in attendance including 50 Dignity members. The symposium also offers workshops by Past President Pat Roche, past CWC member Mari Castellanos and San Francisco chapter members Jim Schexnayder and Janet Rozanno.
In June, Dignity releases results of a Gallup Survey, which it co-initiated along with Catholics Speak Out. The survey (released at Notre Dame in conjunction with the semi-annual meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops) shows, among other things, that 78% of Catholics are in favor of gay/lesbian civil rights and 46% agree that "sexual relations between gay or lesbian persons in a committed relationship could be morally acceptable."
On June 25, the General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) sends to all U.S. Bishops a document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) entitled Some Considerations Concerning the Catholic Response to Legislative Proposals on the Non-Discrimination of Homosexual Persons. The document urges bishops to oppose gay/lesbian civil rights laws in certain instances such as placement of children for adoption or foster care, employment of teachers or athletic coaches, or military recruitment.
On July 15, New Ways Ministry releases a copy of the CDF document to the media.
From July 17-20, the Conference of Catholic Lesbians (CCL) holds its tenth anniversary celebration in Waltham, Massachusetts.
From July 17-20, the Conference of Catholic Lesbians (CCL) holds its tenth anniversary celebration in Waltham, Massachusetts.
On July 25, DignityUSA President, Kevin Calegari travels to Rome for a private meeting with Msgr. Michael Swalina, American assistant to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. During this meeting, he presents Msgr. Swalina with a five-page letter addressed to Cardinal Ratzinger detailing DignityUSA's objections to the CDF document.
On July 29, Kevin Calegari holds a press conference at St. Peter's in Rome during which he places the CDF document in an envelope marked "Return to Sender" and pins it to the door of the Palazzo del Sant' Uffizio, headquarters of the CDF.
On August 3, DignityUSA holds a press conference at the NCCB offices in Washington, DC, and pins the CDF document to the NCCB door in an envelope marked "Return to Sender." DignityUSA also calls upon the bishops to repudiate the CDF document when they meet in Washington DC from November 16-19 and to issue a statement unequivocally supporting basic human rights for all Americans including gays and lesbians.
On August 18, DignityUSA launches a "Call to Justice" campaign to launch protests around the country to the CDF document. One aspect of the campaign is to support a New Ways Ministry project to gather signatures to be presented to the bishops at their November meeting in DC.
On September 21, DignityUSA sends each chapter a Call to Justice Chapter Action Kit to offer assistance and guidance in planning local activities throughout the month of October in dioceses around the country in advance of the NCCB meeting in November.
In late September, Dignity Officers Kevin Calegari and Marianne Duddy meet with Msgr. Robert Lynch, General Secretary of the NCCB, to share concerns about the CDF document and to request that the bishops respond to the document at their November meeting in DC.
On November 16, in conjunction with New Ways Ministry, the Call to Justice campaign stages a press conference and public prayer service at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, site of the NCCB meeting.
At their November meeting, the bishops also reject the latest draft of the Women's Pastoral.
On April 15, a majority of delegates approve, by mail ballot:
- Changing the number of Regions (from 10 to 7) as proposed by the Restructuring Task Force.
- Dividing national and regional responsibilities between Regional Directors (National) and Regional Coordinators (Regional)
- Developing a Leadership Conference
- Changing the way our National Secretary and Treasurer are selected (from election by delegates to appointment by President and confirmation by Board)
- And other efforts to improve our national By-Laws.
On April 25, DignityUSA (one of the early supporters of the 1993 March on Washington) has one of the largest organizational contingents in the march. Almost a thousand members from around the country meet for a prayer vigil outside St. Matthew's Cathedral before being led to the March site by the national officers.
On June 25, Kevin Calegari and other members of Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) meet at the White House with members of the Clinton administration to discuss issues of domestic and foreign policy.
From August 8-15, Dignity's presence is felt at the Pope's World Youth Day in Denver.
In a statement coinciding with the release of Pope John Paul II's encyclical Veritas Splendor (October 5), President Marianne Duddy says that the papal document "indicates that the Vatican is totally out of touch with the possibilities for the church in the modern world.…"
In December, Father John McNeill's new book: Freedom Glorious Freedom — The Spiritual Journey to the Fullness of Life for Gays and Lesbians and Everybody Else is published.
From June 18-25, in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall in New York City, Dignity participates in a variety of events that include:
- International Catholic Gay/Lesbian Conference attended by over 400.
- A peaceful & prayerful vigil at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- A liturgy for over 1200 hosted by Dignity/New York.
- The Stonewall 25 International March on the United Nations.
On November 4-6, Call to Action's annual meeting is held in Chicago. DignityUSA receives the 1994 Call to Action Award for its efforts to promote understanding within the Catholic community and its promotion of a vision of church in which all persons participate as full and active members.
November 18: Past President Jim Bussen is honored by Chicago's Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian issues by being inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
On December 24 Dr. John E. Boswell, author, educator and member of Dignity, dies of complications from AIDS. John wrote such ground-breaking books as Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe (1993) and Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality (1980). John was a convert to Catholicism as an adult.
At their winter meeting in January the national Board of Directors establishes the Kevin Calegari Leadership Award to recognize individuals for their "outstanding contributions and many years of dedicated service to the Dignity family."
On February 12, Dignity loses a great leader and beloved friend with the death of Kevin Calegari. His death came just one month shy of his 37th birthday. Kevin served as president of DignityUSA from 1991-1993.
In February the third book in the trilogy on gay theology by John McNeill is published. It is titled Freedom, Glorious Freedom: The Spiritual Journey to the Fullness of Life for Gays, Lesbians, and Everybody Else.
The Spring edition of the DignityUSA Journal "is dedicated in the loving memory of Kevin Calegari."
Solidarity Sunday, a faith-based anti-violence initiative, is inaugurated for the first time on October 8, 1995 by DignityUSA.
Approximately 80 Dignity members attend the 20th Anniversary Conference of Call to Action, in Detroit MI, Nov 15-17.
Stage 1 of the Basil Ryan Report is reprinted in the Fall 1996 edition of the Dignity Journal.
DignityUSA establishes a website: dignityusa.org under the direction of M.A. Ladd.
In an effort to increase awareness, support and membership, DignityUSA places a half page ad in the Dec 24th year-end edition of the Advocate national magazine.
National Registry for Holy Unions is established by DignityUSA in July.
Stage II of the Basil Ryan Report is reprinted in the Winter-Spring edition of the Dignity Journal.
DignityUSA founder Dr. Pax Nidorf, Ph.D. makes a rare appearance and is guest of honor at Dignity/San Diego's 25th Anniversary Banquet with over 180 in attendance.
The document Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to the Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers is released by the US National Catholic Conference of Bishops on October 1.
Charles Cox begins work as DignityUSA's first Executive Director, a paid position, on October 1.
Bob Miailovich, President, represents DignityUSA in Rome October 10-12 as part of an international movement calling for reform and courage in the Catholic Church.
DignityUSA holds a press conference November 10 outside the hotel where the NCCB is meeting to call attention to the importance of the October document.
Dignity urges ABC to support an AIDS episode of the TV program "Nothing Sacred."
In the Public Eye: Dignity responds to Catholic University's action on Candace Gingrich speech.
On Sunday, May 24th, New York's Cardinal O'Connor uses his weekly homily to call proposed domestic partners legislation before the New York City Council a threat to the family and marriage. DignityUSA responds to his comments with a public letter to the editors of the New York Post, Newsday and LGNY from National President Bob Miailovich and Executive Director Charles Cox. The NY Blade had the letter under consideration.
DignityUSA has expressed its concern over the recent steps taken by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) and its Committee on Marriage and Family Life to dilute the message and spirit of Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers
In a July 15, 1998 press statement, DignityUSA finds the advertising campaign supporting ex-gay ministries to be misleading and destructive, and not representative of Catholic teaching.
More than 30 national religious leaders from many faith traditions, including DignityUSA, gather in Washington, DC July 23rd and 24th to express their support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in the wake of the July advertisements paid for by the Christian right.
DignityUSA initiates a Couples Registry.
The DignityUSA Church Relations Task Force mails a survey on Always Our Children to each chapter.
Executive Director Charles Cox represents DignityUSA at the mid-September meeting of the National Policy Round Table in Washington, DC. The Round Table, sponsored by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, brings together leaders of over 30 national, policy oriented gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender organizations. This was the Round Table's third such gathering, but the first one to include religious organizations — Dignity and two others.
Upon the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's election as head of the Roman Catholic Church, DignityUSA joins 140 groups worldwide in a statement A Pope for the Time to Come. The statement challenges the Church by calling for a model of church built on a discipleship of equals and a style of universal leadership that is collaborative, dialogic and open to fundamental change.
In an historic move, President Clinton proclaims June "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month"
DignityUSA issues a press release July 13 in response to the Vatican's action of silencing Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Bob Nugent of New Ways Ministry.
Re-Imagining Dignity process begins.
DignityUSA applauds the Supreme Court of Vermont for its recognition that gay and lesbian couples should be accorded the same rights and benefits as traditionally married couples.
Effective January 1, 2000, Chuck Provancher takes over the management and design of the DignityUSA Website.
DignityUSA announces that past national president, Marianne Duddy, has been appointed executive director.
DignityUSA launches a three-month advertising campaign in the Advocate national magazine.
DignityUSA participates in the Millennium March on Washington.
DignityUSA announces the addition of two new staff persons in our national office: R Ressa as database manager and Ron Karstetter as office mana
In our continuing efforts to provide the membership maximum access to Dignity news and information, DignityUSA launches a new Dignity News Service.
In November, DignityUSA and Soulforce hold a peaceful demonstration in Washington, DC to oppose spiritual gay bashing.
On January 1, President Mary Louise Cervone and Executive Director Marianne Duddy go to Rome to represent DignityUSA in collaboration with Soulforce to bring attention to the Catholic hierarchy's demeaning attitude toward GLBT Catholics.
DignityUSA is the subject of a study which appears in the most recent edition of the Social Psychology Quarterly, 2001 Volume 64 No. 4. Dr. James C. Cavendish and Dr. Donileen R. Loseke, assistant professor and professor of sociology at the University of South Florida, co-authored the study entitled "Producing Institutional Selves: Rhetorically Constructing the Dignity of Sexually Marginalized Catholics." Drs. Cavendish and Loseke explore how apparently contradictory identities can be reconciled rhetorically. The source materials for the study are DignityUSA Journals published between 1997 and 2000.
The Council of Religious AIDS Networks, including DignityUSA, meets in February in Florida and calls upon the people and the US government to continue a comprehensive and inclusive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
During the March Board of Directors Meeting in Chicago, a special reception is held to honor Jim Green and Bill Diederich "In Appreciation of Faithful and Generous Support." In addition to dedicating themselves over the years to the mission of Dignity, they gave to DignityUSA the largest single donation to date, $52,000. To thank them for their dedication and commitment as well as their generous financial support, Mary Louise Cervone presents Jim & Bill with a beautiful etched glass plaque declaring them "Perpetual Members of DignityUSA."
On April 2-4, DignityUSA co-sponsors a conference on "The Progressive, Faith-Based Agenda: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr." in Washington, DC.
DignityUSA is awarded $1,000 from the School Sisters of Notre Dame Fund for Gay and Lesbian Ministry. The funding is to support proactive outreach to facilitate participation in Solidarity Sunday™.
The Gill Foundation, the preeminent GLBT philanthropic organization, announces a grant of $7,500 to DignityUSA for mobilizing pro-GLBT Catholic support in a state civil rights initiative, where Catholic input can make a difference in the outcome of the bill.
At the request of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, DignityUSA signs onto an amicus brief to be presented to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office in an effort to prevent an anti-gay constitutional amendment from coming before the state's voters. The amendment, sponsored by the Massachusetts Citizens for Marriage, seeks to add language to the state constitution limiting marriage to one man/one woman, and denying the benefits of marriage to any other relationship.
Following the attacks of September 11, DignityUSA issues a statement extending sympathy to all of those who have lost people they love, including the loved ones of Fr. Mychal Judge, NY Fire Department Chaplain, who was a longtime member of Dignity. DignityUSA also expresses outrage by the comments of Rev. Jerry Falwell and Rev. Pat Robertson, who blamed gay men and lesbians for helping to cause this terrorism.
DignityUSA's Fr. Tom is named co-chair of the National Council of Religious AIDS Network.
The December 25, 2001, issue of the Advocate (p. 16) quotes Executive Director Marianne Duddy on Pope John Paul II, Fr. Mychal Judge, gay priests and the gifts of our heroes.
On January 13, the board of directors meets by teleconference. Topics of discussion included our upcoming first national election, as well as reports from other board committees. Director Linda Rieder reports that a Parents and Friends Advisory Board is in the planning stages to encourage greater participation of potential non-gay supporters.
On February 8, the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, hosts a public panel discussion of John McNeill's life and ministry in celebration of the John J. McNeill Gay and Lesbian Liberation Archives, which have recently been donated to CLGS. Sr. Jeannine Gramick is one of the participants in that panel discussion. The Center hosts at the dean's house (on Thursday, February 7) a smaller "by-invitation" fund-raising cocktail party with John to help raise money for cataloguing and publicizing the archive. Tom Kaun, former DignityUSA director, attends the Thursday reception in behalf of DignityUSA. Also in attendance are Rev. Jim Schexnayder, founder and resource director of NACDLGM, as well as several others who have had a connection with Dignity over the years. Several linear feet of John's papers are donated, including his correspondence with the Vatican. His papers will be made available to the public in approximately six months online.
Leaders of DignityUSA condemn statements by Vatican spokesman Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls in which he blames clergy sexual abuse on gay priests. Navarro-Valls is quoted in the March 3, 2002 New York Times as saying that "People with these inclinations just cannot be ordained," and likening their ordination to a marriage that could be annulled.
DignityUSA Endorses New Ways Ministry Symposium, March 8-10, and has a strong presence at the symposium. Approximately 65 members of DignityUSA are among the 500 who gathered in Louisville, KY March 8-10, 2002 for New Ways Ministry's Fifth National Symposium on Gay and Lesbian Issues in the Church. Entitled "Out of Silence God Has Called Us: Lesbian/Gay Issues in the Vatican II Church," the Symposium commemorated the 25th anniversary of New Ways Ministry's founding in 1977.
The board of directors of DignityUSA announces the chartering of Dignity/Silver Spring, located in Maryland.
DignityUSA addresses the priest sex abuse scandal. On April 8, the Board of Directors of DignityUSA devotes much of its meeting to issues raised by the clergy sex abuse scandal unfolding in the Catholic Church.
We Shall Not Be Silent: Conferences for GLBT Catholics, Our Families, Friends and Supporters, sponsored by DignityUSA, takes place on April 12-14 at the Crockett Hotel, San Antonio, TX, where the keynote speaker is Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL; and May 24-26, at the Hyatt Hotel, Buffalo, NY, where the keynote speaker is Edwina Gately
DignityUSA Joins Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando, FL, May 28–June 2.
Patrick T. McArron is named president of DignityUSA.
In response to the church sex abuse crisis, DignityUSA launches a campaign entitled "STOP BLAMING GAY PRIESTS" at the November US Catholic Bishops Conference.
In Lawrence v. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court takes a stand for GLBT people in a 6-3 decision. DignityUSA filed an amicus brief in support of overturning its controversial 1986 Hardwick decision.
DignityUSA denounces "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons," a Vatican document instructing Catholic politicians and the public on opposing legal protections for same-sex couples.
On July 31, DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy appears on a PBS panel to discuss the same-gender marriange issue.
On August 15, National Catholic Reporter interviews DignityUSA leaders in an article on the same-gender marriage debate.
DignityUSA hires Matthew Gallagher as new executive director.
Philippe LaChance, elected by your national Board of Directors as treasurer beginning October 1, resigns his position on the board as of December 1.
On November 18, leaders of DignityUSA express their joy about a historic decision in Massachusetts' highest court ruling that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state constitution.
Joseph Giordano is appointed new treasurer effective Decem
On January 10, the DignityUSA Board of Directors holds a conference call to review the first quarter list of priorities from the DignityUSA strategic plan.
After more than 25 years in a one room efficiency apartment, the National Board approves moving the national office into a larger suite in the same building.
DignityUSA participates at National Religious Leadership Roundtable Event in Boston on March 9–10.
DignityUSA launches secure online payment options for memberships and donations as of March 24.
The Board of Directors of DignityUSA gathers in Washington, DC, April 16-18 for their quarterly meeting.
Dignity/Sarasota (FL), is granted full charter chapter status by the DignityUSA Board of Directors.
Joseph Giordano resigns from the DignityUSA Board of Directors and as Treasurer, as of the end of May. A volunteer is sought to take his place.
DignityUSA Marketing Committee launches national ad campaign in June. The committee, headed by Tom Streeper, Lewis Tanner, Marty Grochala, Chuck Provancher and Matthew Gallagher, launches the campaign to create awareness and "Amplify the Voice of DignityUSA" across the country. The campaign is aimed at combating the violence GLBT people feel from the Vatican, supporting the marriage debate taking place across the country, and providing a picture of what a loving GLBT Catholic family looks like. The "DignityUSA Calls It Love" campaign, celebrating GLBT families, includes national advertising in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and The Advocate, local and regional ads, as well as Dignity chapter-sponsored advertising and Gay Pride event booths and displays.
DignityUSA conducts the first of three membership meetings entitled "We Must Speak Our Truth" in Washington, DC, June 5–6, 2004, hosted by Dignity/Washington and Dignity/Northern Virginia. Guest speaker is Chrissy Gephardt, daughter of Congressman Richard Gephardt, of Missouri. She shares her coming-out story and talks about how we should speak our truth about who we are, which is the theme for the weekend. After her presentation, she takes questions from those present, then joins the group for lunch.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) requests DignityUSA to participate in an important national consultation on men who have sex with men (MSM), to address the rising increase in numerous health issues, especially the elevated level of the spread of Syphilis and new HIV/AIDS cases among MSMs. The CDC invites DignityUSA to the gathering in Atlanta, GA on July 1 because it recognizes DignityUSA's expertise to speak for members of the GLBT community from a faith perspective, and the ability to reach a number of gay men throughout its membership. Fr. Tom, chairman, DignityUSA's National AIDS Project, represents DignityUSA.
Four directors are elected to serve on DignityUSA's national Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning October 1: Rosemary Burdick (CN), Leo Tibesar (MN) and Dick Young (OH). Lewis Tanner (NY) re-elected.
In lieu of a scheduled teleconference, the Board of Directors of DignityUSA gathers for their quarterly meeting in Washington, DC, July 16–18
The second of three membership meetings is held Dayton, OH, July 31–August 1, hosted by Dignity/Dayton and Dignity/Columbus. Keynote speaker is Rev. Phil Hart, Executive Director of Sanctorum, and the first United Methodist Minister defrocked for coming out, on "Prophecy: the Call, the Cost, the Change."
Peter Caprise volunteers to serve on DignityUSA Board of Directors as Treasurer. Peter is the Chief Financial Officer of a large non-profit organization. He brings a wealth of talent and experience to his new role on our national board.
Ron Karstetter, DignityUSA's national office manager for the past five years, steps down. Karen Banks becomes the new office manager. Karen has a background of experience working with small, non-profit, community based organizations.
Third of three membership meetings is held in Los Angeles, CA, October 16–17, hosted by Dignity/Los Angeles.
DignityUSA launches new project, "Breath of the Spirit: Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments," electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for members and potential members.
DignityUSA invites chapters to Washington DC for acts of prayer and visibility at the next U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) meetings, November 15-18.


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SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management Qualification
76 weeks of Full-time study (20 hrs per week)
Not only are our courses of the highest quality, with world-class trainers, but we also offer some of the most affordable choices in Australia.
For more details and a full-price breakdown of this course download our International Course Brochure!
Have any questions about this course? Get in touch here
Full-time (20 hrs per week)
The SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management is a full-time course with 20 hours per week of classroom delivery offered at our Barrington College Australia campus located in Southport, Gold Coast.
Upon enrolment, you will receive a timetable outlining class times, meal breaks, training room allocations, the name of your educator, course units and any practical placement information (if applicable).
This qualification consists of 33 units (27 core units & 6 elective units)
- SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety (core)
- SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices (core)
- SITXFSA008 Develop and implement a food safety program (core)
- SITXWHS007 Implement and monitor work health and safety practices (core)
- SITHCCC043 Work effectively as a cook (core)
- SITHCCC023 Use food preparation equipment (core)
- SITHCCC026 Package prepared foodstuffs (elective)
- SITHCCC027 Prepare dishes using basic methods of cookery (core)
- SITHCCC028 Prepare appetisers and salads (core)
- SITHCCC029 Prepare stocks, sauces and soups (core)
- SITHCCC030 Prepare vegetable, fruit, eggs and farinaceous dishes (core)
- SITXFSA007 Transport and store food (elective)
- SITHCCC031 Prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes (core)
- SITHCCC035 Prepare poultry dishes (core)
- SITHCCC036 Prepare meat dishes (core)
- SITHCCC037 Prepare seafood dishes (core)
- SITHCCC038 Produce and serve food for buffets (elective)
- SITHCCC041 Produce cakes, pastries and breads (core)
- SITHCCC042 Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements (core)
- SITHPAT016 Produce desserts (core)
- SITXINV006 Receive, store and maintain stock (core)
- SITHKOP010 Plan and cost recipes (core)
- SITHKOP012 Develop recipes for special dietary requirements (core)
- SITHKOP013 Plan cooking operations (core)
- SITHKOP015 Design and cost menus (core)
- SITXWHS006 Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks (elective)
- SITXCOM010 Manage conflict (core)
- SITXFIN009 Manage finances within a budget (core)
- SITXHRM009 Lead and manage people (core)
- SITXMGT004 Monitor work operations (core)
- SITXHRM008 Roster staff (core)
- SITXHRM007 Coach others in job skills (elective)
- SITXCCS014 Provide service to customers (elective)
Credit Transfer
Barrington College Australia has established direct pathways into some of Australia's leading Universities enabling students entry into selected bachelor degrees with credit transfers, up to 12 months off their course saving time and money!
View University courses and credits available here.
Enrolment Dates
|23 January
|22 January
|27 Feb
|26 Feb
|17 April
|15 April
|22 May
|20 May
|10 July
|08 July
|14 August
|12 August
|02 October
|30 September
|06 November
|04 November
To gain entry to Barrington College Australia, students must be able to meet the academic and English entry requirements for their chosen course.
- Students must be over 18 years old
Academic Requirement:
- Satisfactorily completed year 12 or equivalent or gained substantial vocational work experience
English Language Requirements:
- Students are required to demonstrate English proficiency at an IELTS band score of 5.5 or above or an Upper-Intermediate ELICOS Course Certificate from Australia or similar
Please refer to www.homeaffairs.gov.au to identify the assessment level for your country and to determine the student visa English Language requirements.
How to Enrol – a quick guide
- Fill out and submit the Application form for International students (click here for the application form).
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subset: commoncrawl


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Perry Decries Insider Trading by Politicians, But His Critics Call Foul
Gov. Rick Perry wants lawmakers who use "insider knowledge to profit in the stock market" to be jailed. But his critics argue that at home, his personal and political relationships have been entangled in ways that helped him profit financially
Newly — and fiercely — critical of using public office for personal financial gain, Gov. Rick Perry this week unveiled a campaign ad demanding that lawmakers who use "insider knowledge to profit in the stock market" be jailed, and he rolled out an overhaul plan of the federal government that would make that possible by criminalizing insider trading by members of Congress.
Some longtime observers of the Texas governor say his effort to portray himself as a reform-minded government "outsider" is inconsistent with his record, which they argue is peppered with instances in which his personal and political relationships became entangled in ways that helped him profit financially.
Craig McDonald, director of the left-leaning money-in-politics group Texans for Public Justice, said that despite Perry's comments this week, over the years the Texas governor has "taken advantage of a number of insider deals himself," from getting a great bargain on real estate purchased from a friend and fellow lawmaker in Horseshoe Bay, to a seemingly too-good-to-be-true 1996 stock deal.
"When it comes to insider cronyism," McDonald said, "Perry does not have clean hands."
Perry's campaign communications director, Ray Sullivan, said that any suggestions that the governor's financial dealings have been anything but above board are politically motivated, and that Perry's "professional and personal decisions are highly transparent and continually pass muster."
Sullivan said Perry's personal investments were in a blind trust for his entire gubernatorial tenure, until he dissolved it in September. He has released decades worth of personal tax returns, in addition to required Texas Ethics Commission disclosures. Sullivan said the Securities and Exchange Commission's examination, which was later dismissed, of one of Perry's 1996 stock trades was the result of attacks from his opponents during his 1998 race for lieutenant governor.
Texas publications have tracked Perry's every move, and land deals are no exception.
In the months leading up to his 2010 gubernatorial re-election, The Dallas Morning News reported that Perry had purchased land in Horseshoe Bay from his longtime friend and fellow state lawmaker, Troy Fraser, for $150,000 less than its appraised value of $450,000. Perry sold the property in 2007 for more than $1 million.
In 2002, the Houston Chronicle reported that Perry had transferred 60 acres of Austin land he owned into a blind trust right before the 1999 Texas Legislature met. His trust sold the property for a profit a few days after then-Gov. George W. Bush signed legislation that allowed development on the land. Back then, Perry spokesman Sullivan told the Chronicle the decision was made "by the trustee, not the governor."
And in September, The Huffington Post reported that federal authorities investigated Perry two years after a 1996 transaction in which he bought 2,800 shares from Kinetic Concepts Inc., a health technology company owned by Dr. James Leininger, a top donor to Perry and to Republicans. A month later, Perry went on to sell 8,000 shares of his Kinetic stock, making $38,000 off the deal.
In a 1998 interview with the Morning News, Perry said he spoke with Leininger on the same day his stockbroker made the purchase but that they never mentioned the stocks, and that the timing was a coincidence. Though an anonymous Austin attorney's reports of Leininger offering Perry a "stock tip" spawned a federal inquiry, campaign spokesman Mark Miner told The Huffington Post that he was only aware that the Securities and Exchange Commission "reviewed the matter and dismissed it."
The governor's critics are unpersuaded.
"If Perry thinks members of Congress belong in jail, what would he think about an elected official who purchased 2,800 shares of stock after speaking with that company's CEO on the same day a giant investment group purchased 2.2 million of its shares?" said Chris Harris, the head of American Bridge 21st Century, a progressive, anti-Republican political action committee.
Perry's comments about insider trading in his major policy speech in Iowa on Tuesday and in a 25-second ad his campaign released on Monday appeared to be a response to a 60 Minutes report that aired Sunday outlining the well-timed (and legal) stock market trades by lawmakers who are privy to sensitive information on industries they regulate. So far, Perry has been the only presidential candidate to chastise members of Congress, calling on them to outlaw insider trading in their midst. (Watch that portion of Tuesday's speech below.)
Lawmakers "have abused the public's trust, trading on inside information to pad their stock portfolios," Perry said. "Congress has proven it can't be trusted to watch our money, and now it's clear they can't be trusted with theirs."
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This is very sad news: "Democrat Daniel Inouye, the U.S. Senate's most senior member and a Medal of Honor recipient for his bravery during World War II, has died. He was 88."
…yes, the Medal of Honor thing wasn't ever really brought up, much. Here's the citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy.
While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
…It originally was 'merely' a Distinguished Service Cross, but President Clinton (wisely, I would say) upgraded that, and the medals of several other members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It is a testament of the Senator that having his right arm shot off did not actually invalid Inouye out of the Army: he served until 1947. And there is nothing that I can really add to any of that – it's a record that indeed speaks for itself – so I'll just end with this:
RIP, Senator Inouye. Our prayers and good wishes for his loved ones.
Moe Lane (crosspost)


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"If you can remember anything about the sixties, you weren't really there," Paul Kantner has said.
While that's funny, it's not exactly true. Not everyone tuned in, turned on, and dropped out, of course, like those in the counterculture. Plenty of us just watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and did our High School math homework. Some were fighting for us in Vietnam. The blogs talk about the music as well as the pop culture happening at the time. Peace out, amigo.


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News tagged with pesticides
Sorry, no news articles match your request. Your search criteria may be too narrow.
A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used to kill a pest. A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substance intended for: - preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. A pesticide may be a chemical substance, biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria), antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest. Pests include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, molluscs, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms), microbes and people that destroy property, spread or are a vector for disease or cause a nuisance. Although there are benefits to the use of pesticides, there are also drawbacks, such as potential toxicity to humans and other animals. FAO has defined the term of pesticide as:
This text uses material from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA


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Discover what lies beyond the edge of evolution. An all-new; third-person open-world/action game; PROTOTYPE puts gamers at the helm of Alex Mercer – a genetically mutated shape-shifter with no memory of his past hell-bent on solving the mystery of his existence – as he tears through a densely populated New York City moving with Parkour-style fluidity and consuming anybody that gets in his way…assuming their physical identity; memories and abilities. Fueled by three key factions consisting of Alex; the Blackwatch (military) and a viral outbreak known as the Infected; players will venture into a deep dark conspiracy 40 years in the making!
- A FRESH TAKE ON STALE GENRE – Taking the open-world genre to breathtaking new heights PROTOTYPE is an original IP featuring Alex Mercer an all-new anti-hero framed within a conspiracy-drenched storyline that gives open-world/action games a fresh and well deserved kick in the pants. With no memory of his past Alex Mercer's sole mission is to find out who's responsible for what's happened to him…and make them pay. As players evolve Alex and his shape-shifting abilities throughout the story they'll incrementally learn more and more about his tortured past while combating the lethal Blackwatch forces and the Infected. Gamers will also delve into the deep back-story mechanic known as the 'Web of Intrigue' and witness a conspiracy 40 years in the making spiral out of control… revealing the PROTOTYPE's past and defining his future.
- DEADLY SHAPE-SHIFTING ACTION – Alex Mercer is a shape-shifter with amazing powers of combat destruction and deception. As Alex gamers can consume and absorb any living person they come into contact with while moving through PROTOTYPE's New York City backdrop and as such he can assume their identity and gain access to their memories and special abilities/powers each time bringing him closer to solving the growing conspiracy. Further Alex can mix and match genetic traits to create incredibly deadly biological weapons including razor sharp claws blades armored skin shields and more. Used correctly Alex Mercer – the PROTOTYPE – is the ultimate shape-shifting weapon.
- 'DECEIVE OR DESTROY' GAMEPLAY – PROTOTYPE's 'Deceive or Destroy' gameplay allows players the choice to either blend in with the crowded population and covertly progress through the story or fully unleash Alex's powers moving through New York City as a walking slaughterhouse – shape-shifting in plain sight consuming civilians on the street commandeering military vehicles including Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks and causing destruction at every turn.
- UNPRECEDENTED LOCOMOTION AND AGILITY – Alex Mercer's movement in PROTOTYPE is based on the art of 'Parkour' – a French term meaning to move from one point to another as quickly as possible principally using the abilities of the human body. Being more than human nothing in PROTOTYPE's bustling New York City setting is an obstacle for Alex. Players will vault over hundreds of cars run vertically up the sides of skyscrapers scale huge distances in single jumps and more.
- NEW YORK CITY IS YOUR HUNTING GROUND – PROTOTYPE's open-world playground is New York City done right! The city is jam-packed with thousands of pedestrians hundreds of cars and is truly a bustling thriving representation of the world's most famous city. The population is extremely dense providing for an endless feast of gameplay possibilities so when things start to explode players really get the feeling that the city is caving in around them. Furthermore in reference to some of PROTOTYPE's boss battles…well let's just say that there's definitely a need for a setting as big as Manhattan.
- DEVELOPER PEDIGREE – No stranger to the open-world game development space Radical Entertainment is the developer behind PROTOTYPE and touts a wide catalog of successful titles including the highly acclaimed The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction Simpsons Hit & Run and Scarface: The World is Yours. Using their all-new 'Titanium' proprietary game engine PROTOTYPE brings gamers to the forefront of open-world gaming with mind-blowing visuals explosive on-screen action and the first game ever to support Neural THX 7.1 Surround Sound.


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The International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Supplement to the Compilers Manual has been prepared with the support of the inter-agency Task Force on International Merchandise Trade Statistics (TFIMTS) as agreed at its 2003 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The primary purpose of the Supplement is to assist United Nations Member States in the implementation of the guidelines adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission and laid out in International Merchandise Trade Statistics : Concepts and Definitions , Revision 2 (IMTS, Rev.2 ) and International Merchandise Trade Statistics : Compilers Manual . The Supplement may also serve as a guide to users who wish to understand better the nature of trade data.
The Supplement covers a number of topics deemed to be beneficial to trade data compilers, including an overview of compiling practices, the revised International convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures (revised Kyoto Convention), the 2007 edition of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, specific compilation issues such as goods for processing and re-exports, an overview of the differences between IMTS and general merchandise in balance of payments statistics, the lessons learned from the Intrastat system of the European Union, and the topic of linking trade and business statistics.
The Supplement is directed to all institutions which play a role in the collection, compilation and dissemination of trade statistics - the term "compiler" as used in the Supplement refers to those institutions. It recognizes that customs departments around the world are the primary producers of basic data on trade transactions, whereas national statistical offices are mostly responsible for processing and dissemination of the trade statistics. Much of the text is written in respect of individual countries or areas. However, as customs unions have become more prevalent in recent years, a separate chapter has been added specifically on collection of data within a customs union.


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Irmiger and Horgan Kobelski dominate Mellow Johnny's
JHK, Irmiger win at Lance's place
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
View Full Mellow Johnny's Classic gallery on Singletrack.com
By Jason Sumner
The husband-and-wife duo of Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Heather Irmiger made the most of a late November trip to Texas, each taking respective wins at the Mellow Johnny's Classic cross-country race on Sunday.
The first year event was hosted by — and contested on the private trails of — Lance Armstrong, whose 450-acre ranch resides in the rolling hills about an hour west of Austin.
Unfortunately for Armstrong, land ownership did not yield any tangible home-course advantage. Instead, the 2009 Leadville 100 champ flatted early in the first of three eight-mile laps, and was a DNF.
"Agh!!!!! Wha?!?," Armstrong posted. "Flatted out of the @mellowclassic – running second to @jeremyhk . I didn't think the flat gods would do this @ my own place!"
With or without Armstrong in the mix, it was all JHK all day. The 2004 Olympian and multi-time U.S. national champion took the front early in the first lap, and never looked back, winning with ample time to spare.
Horgan-Kobelski turned a blistering 34-minute first lap on a course short on big climbs, but long on twists, turns, berms and rocks. By the end of lap No. 2 the Subaru-Gary Fisher rider was more than four minutes up on eventual second-place finisher Bryan Fawley (Park Place-Dallas Metal), who's considered the best of the local Austin racers.
But the distance between best local guy and former Olympian is a yawning gap. The final margin between first and second was almost seven minutes. Former Texas MTB scene heavy hitter Jason Sager (Jamis) was third, 10 minutes and 16 seconds behind.
"I wanted to split it up right away and make a selection right from the beginning," explained Horgan-Kobelski. "The trail was still pretty slick so you could still make some separations out there. Then partway through the first lap, I was all by myself so I decided to just keep going."
Indeed, trail conditions were tough for all 600-plus racers who toed the still-moist start line. The normally dry and dusty singletrack was turned gooey, greasy or worse by heavy rains that fell throughout the preceding Friday. Saturday was drier, but the sun didn't come out in earnest until Sunday afternoon.
That left racers to contest with gummed up drivetrains, lots of slippery roots and rocks, and several sections of mud so sticky it felt like you were riding through glue.
"I just went off the front and had a lot of fun out there," said Irmiger. "There were a couple other girls that were close for a little bit, but I didn't really look back."
About 45 minutes after the winners had finished, Armstrong reappeared at the finish to assist with the podium proceedings. After giving thanks to race staff and volunteers, and further lamenting that injustice of flatting out of one's own race, he addressed the future of the event.
"Now we just have to figure out next year," he said, drawing raucous applause from the sizable crowd. "Maybe we should do a spring and a fall race?"
If year one was any barometer, the answer is yes.


text: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Anti-government extremists opposed to taxes and regulations pose a growing threat to local law enforcement officers in the United States, the FBI warned on Monday. These extremists, sometimes known as "sovereign citizens," believe they can live outside any type of government authority, FBI agents said at a news conference. The extremists may refuse to pay taxes, defy government environmental regulations and believe the United States went bankrupt by going off the gold standard. Routine encounters with police can turn violent "at the drop of a hat," said Stuart McArthur, deputy assistant director in the FBI's counterterrorism division. "We thought it was important to increase the visibility of the threat with state and local law enforcement," he said. In May 2010, two West Memphis, Arkansas, police officers were shot and killed in an argument that developed after they pulled over a "sovereign citizen" in traffic. Last year, an extremist in Texas opened fire on a police officer during a traffic stop. The officer was not hit. Legal convictions of such extremists, mostly for white-collar crimes such as fraud, have increased from 10 in 2009 to 18 each in 2010 and 2011, FBI agents said. "We are being inundated right now with requests for training from state and local law enforcement on sovereign-related matters," said Casey Carty, an FBI supervisory special agent. FBI agents said they do not have a tally of people who consider themselves "sovereign citizens." J.J. MacNab, a former tax and insurance expert who is an analyst covering the sovereign movement, has estimated that it has about 100,000 members. Sovereign members often express particular outrage at tax collection, putting Internal Revenue Service employees at risk. (Reporting By Patrick Temple-West; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh)