For permission to use copyrighted
materials contact us by e-mail.
[Franciscans of Divine Providence] 1995-2011
The
Metropolitan Diocese of Hope
of the Trinitarian Catholic Church
and the
Franciscans of Divine Providence
We dedicate this page to young people everywhere and especially to LGBTI Youth.
We add our voice to the growing
nationwide outcry against
teen bullying
and violence towards LGBTI youth.
"TO THE WORLD YOU MAY BE
ONE PERSON,
BUT TO ONE PERSON YOU MAY BE THE WORLD"
Matt Epling
The rising
numbers of senseless suicides among LGBTI youth is shocking and totally
unacceptable.
We call upon all people of faith, elected officials, and ordinary Americans
to open their eyes to these terrible losses of human life.
It's time for all Americans
to unconditionally reject the irrational religious, cultural and socially
sanctioned
oppression of LGBTI people in our country and put an end to it once and for
all.
Generations of
people from around the world, and also within in our own country, have espoused hatred, ignorance, violence and intolerance, toward people who appear to be
different. Especially and most irrationally impacted are LGBTI
people who are often our friends, our co-workers, our neighbors, our
sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, and our brothers and our sisters.
The actions and words
of thoughtless people are
often supported by twisted, narrow-minded religious beliefs and by
antiquated and unjust
laws that no longer reflect the
modern, rational, social thought or beliefs of most Americans today.
It must be said that those frightened people who seem to work
tirelessly to preserve and protect their personal,
antiquated and medieval attitudes and actions toward other human beings
are the ones who are most responsible
for the mindless perpetuation of bullying, beatings and deaths of countless,
innocent people.
Their collective, irrational homophobia and hostility is a prime reason
for the increase of suicides among LGBTI
youth and adults.
Enough is
enough! Starting right now,
we all must say NO to Hate!
We stand
united with countless numbers of fair-minded Americans of all faiths who want to see an end
to the prejudices and homophobic beliefs
and behaviors of some in our country, and around the world,
who directly contribute
to the bullying of teens and the countless suicides
among LGBTI youth in the United States and
elsewhere.
To each and every LGBTI youth
in the United States and everywhere,
we want you to know that we and many others care about
you.
We want you to
know that we understand.
No matter what anyone
might say to you to the contrary,
we want you to know
that you are just as good, just as smart and just as important as anyone
else.
Our faith teaches us that
every person, Gay or
Straight,
is made in the image and likeness of God, the Creator, and that
includes you.
We know that
life can be scary and confusing at times. It can be difficult to find positive
and supportive
role
models
who can reassure us that we're okay or that we have real value and a purpose in
this world.
Just remember
this.
We know you're
out there. Many other people your age and older are or have been where you
are right now.
We know that many of you sometimes feel afraid, helpless and alone.
You are not
alone!
If you need
help, contact us or look on our Links page for LGBTI Resources such as the
Trevor Project.
It's very important
that you take the first step to empower yourself by getting some help.
We care
about you and we want you to be around for a very long time.
There are
many people you can talk to who know from first hand experience that things get better.
It does get better!
We urge everyone,
everywhere to get educated on this serious problem
and to stand together as people of faith and
say NO to Bullying,
NO to Discrimination,
NO to Homophobia,
and NO to Hate!
It's what Jesus would do!
Franciscans of Divine Providence +
Founded 1995
The statements and opinions expressed on this
page reflect the position and the non-discrimination policy of the
Trinitarian Catholic Church and the Franciscans of Divine Providence
