LGBTQ Catholics are sacred

For Lent 2021, members of CTA’s Anti-Racism Team are sharing weekly reflections. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, John Tubbs wrote on rejoicing in his life as a gay man. This reflection feels especially powerful in light of the recent Vatican statement that does not honor the sacredness of LGBTQ love and identity. In this newsletter, we lift up several ways that CTA members are cultivating sacred, affirming, Catholic communities.

Here are three new opportunities to connect with fellow LGBTQ Catholics or show your support:

The Sacred Swarm: A Ritual Gathering Space

First gathering: Sunday, March 28
7 pm ET/6 pm CT/4 pm PT
Sign up for updates and upcoming gatherings

In Advent 2020, a group of Re/Generators created a series of Queer and Trans Led Liturgies. That project has taken on a new form this year as the Sacred Swarm.

What is it? A space created for seekers of Spirit and Justice to build community to access the Divine.

Say more. The Sacred Swarm is co-created by a group of queer people who are inspired by the cyclical nature of the Christian Liturgical calendar, and are committed to creating space that is affirming of all people (all genders! sexualities! races! faith backgrounds! abilities!). We come together over Zoom once a month to celebrate, mourn, pray, contemplate, sing and more. Like a swarm of honeybees, many of us are branching out from our original faith traditions and are searching together for a more spacious spiritual home.

Transforming Faith: Stories of Struggle and Resilience

Wednesday, March 31
7:30 pm EST/6:30 pm CT/4:30 pm PT
Register via Zoom

In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, join CTA and DignityUSA for a panel discussion featuring trans people and allies sharing stories about their journeys of struggle and resilience. Panelists will share their experiences of claiming and reclaiming faith and the impact religious rhetoric has had on their understanding of self, the divine, social justice, and community. Following the sharing, there will be time for questions and discussion.

Panelists: Greer, Linda, Monica, Tiffany, and Mac
Co-Facilitators: delfin and Lauren

Show social media support

Vision Council member delfín bautista put out a call on social media to queer people of faith and celebrators of queer folks: As one way of countering the Vatican’s statement that our relationships cannot be blessed because they are a sin, join us in changing your social media profile to a share a message of solidarity, love, and celebration of our relationships as #equallyblessed. You can take a photo with a sign, use this frame from CTA, or add text to an image... be creative. We are the church!