Join Dignity/Washington for a summer ice cream social on August 23.
After a Sunday Mass on June 28 where special thanksgiving was given to mark the historic US Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the country, Dignity/Washington Board Vice-President Vin Testa led the Dignity/Washington community and a large crowd of friends and allies in a toast to begin a special buffet celebration.
During the festivities Dignity/Washington was proud to recognize Vin whose photo, taken as he was waving the Rainbow Flag in front of the US Supreme Court building on June 26, was featured in the national editions of the New York Times the next day. This was the second time that a photo of Vin in a similar pose in front of the US Supreme Court was used in the national media: the first time two years ago when the justices announced their DOMA decision.
Congratulations Vin! Read the full article at:
Vin Testa at SCOTUS for Marriage Equality Ruling
After Mass on Sunday, June 21, the Dignity/Washington community presented a certificate of appreciation and good wishes to five-year member Kenneth Dowling as he returns to San Francisco to pursue studies for a PhD in psychology.
Always there when Dignity/Washington needed him, we greatly appreciate the many gifts he shared with us and the Washington, DC, LGBT community as a valuable member of the D/W Board and Executive Committee, Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte at Mass, founder of the Queer for Christ organization, and the inspiration behind the new D/W logo.
In addition, he contributed much to the D/W social media presence, including the Facebook and website improvements, and was one of the founders of both the local and national Dignity Young Adults Groups. As he leaves for his next venture, he takes a bit of us with him and we wish him all good things and many blessings.
“Oh Happy Day” is a well known and loved Christian Spiritual that has been translated into many languages. It is most appropriate for today — a day for marriage equality. Read about the historic Supreme Court decision at these news sources. The first link includes the poetic final paragraph of the majority opinion written by Anthony Kennedy.
Beautiful Closing Paragraph of Justice Kennedy’s Majority Opinion
Dignity/Washington rocked the Capital Pride parade with a float decked out in colors of the Gay flag. Add to that a spirited music soundtrack that featured “Salve Regina” and “I will follow him” from Sister Act and “Like a Prayer” from Madonna. Put all that on the back of a truck, and you have one raucous Gay Pride party float. No one rained on this parade as the Dignity/Washington contingent was acknowledged along the parade route for its ministry to LGBT Catholics since 1972.
A huge thanks to Larry Ranly, master builder of the float, and Vin Testa, music director, for organizing this year’s Capital Pride marchers and float. Everyone had a Capital Pride experience that will long be remembered.
After the parade, the Dignity/Washington float was covered on NBC 4 in Washington, DC. Click on the link below to view the video.
Video of Dignity at Capital Pride Parade
Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
Join the DC community for the Capital Pride Interfaith Service – Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 7:30 PM
Hosted by All Souls Unitarian Church at 16th St. and Columbia Road N.W. ( a couple of blocks north of Meridian Hill Park)
The theme of this year’s serves is “Radical Equality: Faith, Race, & Justice; Exploring our response to issues of racial justice in LGBT Communities of Faith and society”.
Featured speakers: Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Co-Director, Many Voices, Lisbeth Melendez-Rivera, Religion and Faith Program Director of HRC Latino and Catholic Initiatives.
Dignity/Washington will be participating by blessing the space with incense and bells and taking up the collection. If you would like to volunteer for these activities or to be part of the community choir, please contact Tom Bower at Mass or at tom1545@verizon.net.
Updated with New Information: Dignity/Washington will be contingent #35, and we are very close to the front of the parade! Meet in the red staging area, which is located on 23rd Street NW, between N and P Streets.
Anyone riding on the parade float must sign a waiver. You can download and print the waiver at the bottom of this posting. Click on the link for “Pride Parade Waiver” below. Copies will also be available at the staging area.
Dignity/Washington marchers should NOT arrive at the staging area until 3:30 PM. Marchers must arrive between 3:30 and 4:30. Any questions, email Vin at vtesta914@gmail.com
DignityUSA’s biennial convention will be held July 2 – 5, in Seattle. Click on the link above for more information and to register. DignityUSA’s convention will page will give your information on speakers, the convention program, hotel information, and more. The convention will feature three keynote speakers:
Reserve your place using the Convention 2015 All in One Registration form.
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