DIGNITY

COLUMBUS

P.O. BOX 16101 COLUMBUS, OH. 43216

SANTA MARIA

210001

VOLUME 4

そ

REGION V MEETING

ISSUE 8

CLEVELAND

AUGUST 1979

The weekend in Cleveland was both enjoyable and productive.

Among the topics discussed were: Obtaining a tax exempt status for Dignity Inc.; Compensation for travel expenses of delegates going to regional meetings; Chapters in formation, Dignity/Central Ohio the advisory board voted to recommend that chapterhood be granted by Dignity Inc. to a new chapter in the Columbus area; Goals for Dignity in 1980 and 1981 Improved communication, especially the National Newsletter Concentrated outreach program geared at educating our clergy and fellow Christians Formulation of a statment on gay Christian morality.

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Election of regional officers was held. David Floss remains as secretary, Marvin Marks remains as treasurer and Ron Schulte replaces Jay Ross as regional director. There were tearful good-byes to Jay who has served unselfishly for the past two years, giving freely of his time, energy, and helpful advice. We in Columbus owe him special thanks for his help in our difficulties last spring.

Ron has been a regional representative from the Cincinnatti chapter and chairman of the education committee. He promises to bring many talents and fresh ideas to his new position. The following article was written by Ron for his chapter's newsletter and it will introduce him to you in a more personal way.

An Article of Opinion

I direct this article to all of the chapters of Dignity and to those who have leadership in these chapters, regions and the national office.

In the Statement of Position and Purpose of Dignity Inc. it states that, "We believe that Catholic gay men and women are members of Christ's mystical body...we have an inherent dignity because God created us...the channel through which the love of God might become visible. Because of this, it is our right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the Church, so that we might become more powerful instruments of God's love working among all people. We believe that gay men and women can express their sexuality in a manner that is consonant with Christ's teaching. We believe that all sexuality should be exercised in an ethically responsible and unselfish way." During the past years, chapters all around the country have provided liturgies, retreats, meetings and socials. and socials. We have taken active interests in the rights of gay people. We have had large and dynamic conventions and we have spent much effort on organization. Many people have been able to come to grips with their sexuality, hopefully because of our efforts as well as those of other groups.

But what concerns me is what I see happening today. Bars and baths are opening and growing larger. Magazines, newspapers, films, pictures and video tapes concerning gay people have increased in number. What values these have in our lives, Ithink, should be judged and used, in so far as they can, within the context of our Statment of Position and Purpose.

As I go to different parties, meet people in bars and in the everyday contacts that I make, I find many good people who are trying to live full lives, not just sexual lives, but lives that embrace all that makes a person to be what he or she can be. What bothers me is seeing people trying to move in on one another in a lover relationship; hearing people