Celebrating the Wholeness and Holiness of LGBTQI Catholics in Honolulu, Hawaii
Our Mission
Dignity Honolulu is a community of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Catholics and other Christians, our families and friends. We provide healing outreach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Catholics and other people by affirming that they are beloved Children of God. We gather together to establish a nurturing community of worship, blessing, celebration, ministry, spiritual development, education, and fellowship.
Hawaiian Motto
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka `Aina i ka Pono, is a well-known Hawaiian phrase which was adopted in 1959 as the motto of the State of Hawaii. It is most commonly translated as: The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness..
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Dignity USA joins LGBTQI advocates and allies across the country in celebrating the passage of the Equality Act from the House of Representatives
LGBTQI Catholic Organization Applauds Passage of Equality Act in House as a "Major Victory", Calls for Floor Vote in Senate
February 25th, 2021 Dignity USA joins LGBTQ+ advocates and allies across the country in celebrating the passage of the Equality Act through the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday (2/21/21). The passage of the bill through the House represents a major step toward enshrining the Equality Act's historic wide-ranging LGBTQI protections into federal law.
Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of Dignity USA, celebrated the bill's progress stating "We're thrilled by the passage of the Equality Act through the House of Representatives. It represents a major victory for LGBTQI Americans and for the advocates who have spent decades organizing and advocating for such a bill. With Presidential and Congressional leadership supportive of the bill, we have a historic opportunity to guarantee nationwide protections for the LGBTQI community."
Though the House previously passed a 2019 version of the Equality Act, new leadership in the Senate and the White House has raised hopes that the bill will become law.
Duddy-Burke continued, "With the Biden/Harris Administration and numerous Congressional candidates pledging to prioritize LGBTQI civil rights during the 2020 election season, they must act quickly to keep their promises. We urge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to schedule a floor vote on the bill as soon as possible."
Duddy-Burke also noted that strong majorities of Catholics support the kinds of protection the Equality Act would provide for LGBTQI people. "As of October 2020, 87% of Hispanic Catholics and 83% of White Catholics supported nondiscrimination laws, representing majorities of Catholics of both political parties [1]. Catholics understand it is wrong to discriminate against anyone because of their identities. We are confident Senators are taking note of this support among Catholic voters."
Today, the United States lacks federal laws prohibiting LGBTQI discrimination and 29 states have not outlawed LGBTQI discrimination. The Equality Act would enact nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, federal funding, jury service, and credit.
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Dignity USA is the world's largest membership organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality, and full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender people in our church and society. Founded in 1969, it is also a founding member of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics
Contacts:
Gene Corpuz, President (cell) 808-225-0075
Tim Earhart, Vice President (cell) 808-225-0075