L2007.15 The Dignity Papers

Title: L2007.15 The Dignity Papers

Dates: 1973 - 2004

Collection Number: L2007.15

Creator/Collector: Dignity San Diego Dignity USA

Extent: 17 linear feet

Repository: Lambda Archives of San Diego

Abstract: Dignity is an organization of Roman Catholic Gays and Lesbians that was founded in 1969. Dignity began as a “healing ministry” for lesbian and gay Roman Catholics, however the organization now welcomes peoples of all faiths and sexual orientations.This collection contains a wide variety of materials relating to the San Diego Chapter of Dignity and materials from Dignity USA which was extant country-wide.

Language of Material: English

Open for research

L2007.15 The Dignity Papers. Lambda Archives of San Diego

Dignity is an organization of Roman Catholic Gays and Lesbians that was founded in 1969. The San Diego Chapter claims that the first meetings to establish the Dignity organization were held in San Diego. Dignity began as a “healing ministry” for lesbian and gay Roman Catholics, however the organization now welcomes peoples of all faiths and sexual orientations. Dignity lists their mission as carrying out their spiritual mission through weekly services, “providing education to the gay and lesbian community” through their Dimensions newsletter, providing social reform on the individual and group levels, dedication to feminist issues, and promoting social events to foster community relationships. In their Statement of Position and Purpose, Dignity states that they “believe that gay and lesbian Catholics are…numbered among the people of God” and that gays and lesbians “have an inherent dignity because God created us, Christ dies for us, and the Holy Spirit sanctified us in Baptism, making us His temple, and the channel through which the love of God might become visible.” Dignit6y additionally stated that they believe that gay and lesbian people’s sexuality can be expressed in a way “consistent with Christ’s teachings.” The San Diego Chapter of Dignity is referenced as Region IX and Pacific Region in documents by Dignity USA.

This collection contains a wide variety of materials relating to the San Diego Chapter of Dignity and materials from Dignity USA which was extant country-wide. These materials include financial documents, conference materials, binders filled with regional and national materials, Dignity newsletters, administrative materials, and board reports.