User:Shellie4/sandbox

= DignityUSA =

DignityUSA is ....

1969
Father Patrick X. Nidorf (Father Pat) began a ministry for Gay and Lesbian Catholics. The ministry had a minimum age of 21 and required a $5 fee to participate for the year. The ministry had an ad in Los Angeles Free Press and meetings were held in Los Angeles, CA.

1970
The first Ad was placed in The Advocate (LGBT magazine) and it read "Catholic Gays Join DIGNITY, a Catholic group of intelligent gay men and women. We share successful ways of bringing dignity into our lives. Honest talk/ sensitivity/sincere people. Applicants screened. Write: Fr. Pat, Box 4486, N. Park St., San Diego, CA 92104." Ads attracted members from all over the country not just Los Angeles. Bob Fourier becomes General Chairman of Dignity and drafts a Constitution for the Ministry. St. Brendan's Parish of Los Angeles held the first meeting in their basement auditorium on September 26, 1970.

1971
Against Father Pat's wishes a letter is sent to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles asking for recognition. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles does not approve of the ministry and the Archbishop forces Father Pat to step away from the group. At this time there are 90 members and Bob Fourier agrees to take over the ministry. On March 10, 1971, Dignity Newsletter is published for the first time with Bob Fourier as the editor. The first retreat is held in Valyermo, California at St. Andrew’s Benedictine Priory. They begin monthly retreats with speakers, the first speaker is a Research Psychologist from UCLA. The yearly dues to $10 are raised to $10 and a second chapter is started in Louisville, KY.

1972
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1980
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2015
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