gender - radojcic, lgbt catholics Flashcards
case study
- Case Study = focused on the religiously devout sexual minorities in RCC
- Dignity = organisation for LGBTQ+ Catholics
- They ‘strategically use their identity as gay Catholics to initiate action, to build community, and to destigmatize other religious sexual minorities. Members leverage this unique identity to push for change and equality within the Church. At the same time, this identity allows members to see their continued participation in the anti-gay Roman Catholic Church as activism, a positive and affirming identity, thereby alleviating potential conflict and the contradiction between their sexuality and their spirituality as Roman Catholics’ (1297)
aim of dignity members
- Dignity members attempt to ‘integrate their religion and their sexual identity’ (1297)
- Focus of article = how they maintain their identity individually and collectively
background on dignity
o Established in 1969
o Want to consolidate their sexuality with full participation in religious activity in church and society
o Want to reform teachings and attitudes toward sexual minorities
o Want LGBTQ people to be able to participate fully in the RCC
o Conflicting identity: religious and LGBTQ
Vatican view of homosexuality
o 2010, Vatican Council – homosexuality is a ‘disorder’
♣ sex = for procreation. Homosexuality is wrong
♣ cannot receive Communion
dignified self
o want to build a gay Catholic identity in order to establish ‘the dignified self’ (1299)
♣ this can be achieved through:
• recognising that sexuality is not chosen, it is fixed and inherent
• sexuality = gift from God. Still imago dei
• sexuality must be ethical – consent etc. still applies
• emphasis on family and monogamy
o social change = important
o ‘Dignity combats social stigma against sexual minorities’ (1300)
♣ fight against discrimination etc.
identity
o it is through individuals recognising themselves as part of the collective that a collective identity is established
o how is identity constructed?
♣ Identity consolidation – ‘the process through which groups adopt an identity that represents the combination of two seemingly incompatible preexisting identities.’ (1301)
• A way of consolidating different aspects of identity e.g. religion and sexuality
o Identity = important for group processes.
♣ Look at emotion – participation in movements
♣ How do they establish collective identity?
♣ Emotion = important for group solidarity
evil as attributed to the social system
o ‘Once individuals begin to attribute their poor treatment to the social system as a whole, as opposed to their own personal failings, they replace feelings of shame with feelings of anger, a mobilizing emotion (Jasper, 1998).’ (1301)
♣ realise that they are not alone in their emotions
♣ personal emotions become collective, shared feelings of anger etc.
dignity location etc.
o Open to everyone, services are RCC orientated
o Services and social activities
o Events e.g. gay pride events, Bible studies (writer attended these)
o Locations of centers = gay-friendly cities e.g. Dignity Honolulu and LA
♣ 3 similarities between groups, despite being in different cities
• same organisational history and challenges – marketing based on word of mouth. Not significant numbers. Numbers reduced after AIDS epidemic due to increasing anger at RCC
• similar membership base – white, middle class men. Homogeneous, aged 65+, previously professional. Devout RCC
• both banned from meeting in RCC churches. Local priests cannot be involved
• informal services – social aspect is important
methods of research
o qualitative research methods
o ‘I analyzed Dignity USA’s monthly national newsletters from a 10-year period of time (1996–2005), including archived documents, time- lines, and press releases posted on Dignity USA’s Web site.’ (1304)
o use newsletters to communicate
o semistructured interviews
identity for action
♣ Call for reform of RCC
♣ Want to be able to participate in RCC life
♣ Want to be accepted as equal within RCC
♣ Inclusion = goal
♣ Dignity is not only a place where people can worship, but it is also a group that represents the rights of sexual minorities in the RCC
♣ Desire for reform within RCC does not mean that they do not love and care for the rituals and general doctrine of RCC – they want to remain Catholic but be accepted and able to participate fully
♣ ‘they are hoping to work within the existing framework to create change’ (1306)
♣ ‘Rather than challenging church leaders’ authority or legitimacy (i.e., challenging the framework of the church), Dignity’s members are appealing for change by operating within the Catholic Church’s existing framework.’ (1306)
♣ seek support from other RC, message of inclusion
♣ want to change minds of members rather than the pope etc.
♣ wants support from heterosexual members
♣ ‘Rather than directly pressuring Catholic leadership for change, Dignity’s members strive to mobilize fellow Catholics to promote reform.’ (1306)
identity for community - general
♣ sense of community within the group – shared aims
♣ ‘Dignity routinely uses boundaries, consciousness, and negotiation to help members understand that they are part of a collective and not unique in either their sexual identity or Catholic beliefs (Taylor & Whittier, 1992).’ (1306)
♣ people rely on eachother for support
♣ ‘In this sense, the group and its collective identity are just as much about the interpersonal relationships created between actors as the ends they are attempting to achieve. Members suggest that they continue participating in Dignity because of the emotional connections with fellow members, despite the realization that reform in the Roman Catholic Church is unlikely. ’ (1307)
♣ discuss personal topics – collective identity is almost more important than desire for reform
identity for community - boundaries
• part of RCC
• yet also members of LGBT community
• ‘although Dignity’s mass remains consistent with Catholic tradition, there are several distinct boundary markers in place that distinguish the service as gay-friendly’ (1307)
o e.g. gay pride flags above altar
o both gay and Catholic – the two are fused in one setting
o they are not alone – they are part of a collective
identity for destigmatisation
♣ emphasise collective consciousness
♣ want members to feel proud of faith and sexuality
♣ recognise themselves as scapegoats for RCC – begin to view themselves as victims rather than anomalies/sinners
♣ ‘For example, during the weekend of the annual gay Pride parade, the priest’s homily at Dignity Honolulu’s weekly service was based on the parable of the good Samaritan; the speaker suggested that as gays and lesbians, members are often “beaten and abused” like the man attacked by robbers in the parable, and that as Catholics, it is their responsibility to reach out and offer help or aid to anyone that who needs it regardless of their sexual orientation.’ (1308-9)
ministry as prophetic
♣ ‘One of the ways that members of Dignity cope with stigmatization is by framing themselves as the protagonists in the fight for church reform. In fact, closer investigation suggests that the group frames itself as almost prophet- like. For instance, Dignity’s anthem “Celebrate” states, “Yes! We are chosen! Yes, we are a sign! Destined for a prophet’s role, a sacred trust.”’ (1309)
♣ frame their work as ministry – sense of prophetic purpose
♣ ‘members are taught to replace feelings of shame with feelings of pride, as they take on the group’s larger collective identity. Once individuals attribute their poor treatment to the social system as a whole, as opposed to their own personal failings, they learn that they are not alone in their struggles’ (1309-1310)
♣ Dignity emphasises that RCC treatment of LGBT community should not be permitted – shame modulates into anger/pride
gay catholic activists
♣ Create collective identity that combines sexuality and faith
♣ Encourages activism
♣ Develop an expectation of equal treatment within RCC. Prophetic mission to achieve this
♣ They remain RCC and do not want to leave the church, but rather reform it
• This dulls the conflict between faith and sexuality – they want to reconcile both
♣ However, they have not had much success – RCC remains primarily against LGBTQ+
• They do not interact with Dignity
♣ Martyrdom/prophetic quality to action of Dignity – this excuses their emphasis that change may not be achieved during their lifetimes: sense of duty for future LGBTQ RC
