Twin Cities Area Catholic Parishes
Known to Be Hospitable to
GLBT Persons and Their Families

The following is a list of some of the Twin Cities area parishes where GLBT persons and their families have experienced
a hospitable welcome in the recent past.

Assumption Parish 51 West 7th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-7536	Basilica of St. Mary 88 North 17th St. Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 333-1381
Church of St. Albert the Great 2836 33rd Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55406 (612) 724-3643	Church of St. Frances Cabrini 1500 SE Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 339-3023
Church of St. Joan of Arc 4537 Third Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 823-8205	Church of St. Matthew 490 Hall Ave. St. Paul, MN 55107 (651) 224-9793
Church of St. Philip 2507 Bryant Ave. North Minneapolis, MN 55411 (612) 529-3125	Church of St. Stanislaus 398 Superior St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-0303
Church of St. Stephen 2211 Clinton Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0311	Guardian Angels Church 8260 Hudson Blvd. North Oakdale, MN 55128 (651) 738-2223

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by David J. McCaffrey

(Editor's note. Right-wing religious groups, when discussing GLBT issues, make reference to such groups such as Exodus International, Eagles Wings, Courage, Encourage, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), and the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) and to such terms as "same-sex attraction," or "SSA."

We are certain that many of these groups of the Religious Right are well-intentioned as they attempt to reach out not only to troubled and, perhaps, confused Catholic persons exploring their own sexuality but also to their concerned family members and friends, who are all looking for some trustworthy information, based on solid scientific research.

Nevertheless, these groups actually do a disservice to such innocent and vulnerable individuals by providing them with information that is based on seriously flawed research that has been discredited by all of the major official organizations that represent the views of hundreds of thousands of health, mental health, and education professionals.

Some of these same professional associations further hold that treatments recommended by NARTH and CMA actually are potentially risky and may lead to harmful results, such as depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior and may only serve to reinforce the GLBT person's self-hatred. (See the "Reparative Therapy" section in the publication Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation & Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel .)

Would someone seeking information about maintaining a healthy cardio-vascular system follow information that is 25 years old and now refuted by all of the professional medical associations of cardiologists and heart surgeons? To follow advice based on the information about the nature of and "cures" for homosexuality promulgated by the Religious Right make about as much sense.

This section has been placed on the CPCSM website in order to help persons confused by what they are reading about homosexuality on the websites of Religious Right groups better understand what the vast majority of the professional health, mental health, and education organizations are officially stating about the nature of GLBT persons and their needs and gifts and how GLBT persons can be best understood and helped to become fully actualized and contributing citizens in today's diverse and complex world. Further, this section will help the user see the bigger picture of the role that such right-wing groups such as Exodus International, Eagles Wings, Courage, Encourage, CMA, and NARTH play in the larger political-religious Ex-Gay Movement.)

Go to This Link

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From Matthew Shepard Online Resources:
(Warning: this site may contain examples of
bigotry and prejudice unsuitable for younger visitors.)

The Religious Right and Anti-Gay Speech:
Messengers of Love or Purveyors of Hate?
Anti-gay quotes from NARTH
and Colorado for Family Values

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• Opportunities for fun, friendship and acceptance;
• A sense of community for those who wish to reconcile their
  sexual orientation with their faith;
• An affirming atmosphere in which to worship in the Catholic tradition;
• A gateway to increased participation in the Basilica community;
• A voice for GLBT Catholics;
• An avenue to witness our Catholic faith to the GLBT community.

Boulevards meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm and may host other events, as well. Details of each month’s activities are published in the Boulevards newsletter, in the parish Bulletin and on the group's web site:  www.mary.org/life/groups/boulevards/index.html

Please contact Greg Coloian at gregc@mn.rr.com for more information.