by Elizabeth Bibi •
Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, responded to the news that Pope Francis, in the documentary “Francesco,” for the first time as Pope publicly stated support for same-sex unions.
Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, responded to the news that Pope Francis, in the documentary “Francesco,” for the first time as Pope publicly stated support for same-sex unions.
In the documentary, Pope Francis says, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that.”
“Today, Pope Francis took a significant step for inclusion and acceptance in the Catholic Church by embracing unions for same-sex couples and affirming that LGBTQ Catholics are a part of their religious family,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “By shifting Catholic theology in a more inclusive direction and making clear that LGBTQ people have a right to their own families, Pope Francis is letting LGBTQ Catholics know that being a person of faith and being LGBTQ are not mutually exclusive. While we at the Human Rights Campaign acknowledge this moment, we continue to push the Catholic Church, and all religious leaders, to fully embrace LGBTQ people and endorse marriage equality for same-sex couples, our right to have families, and to be full members of our faith communities.
“Many members of the LGBTQ community have had difficulty engaging with places of worship because they have not been accepting of LGBTQ people. We are hopeful that this is another in a line of many actions toward full inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ people in Catholicism, and in all faiths.”
The HRC Foundation’s Religion and Faith program works to establish common ground with prominent houses of worship and faith traditions across the country. Ensuring equity and justice for all people, while giving all individuals the space and freedom to be fully themselves, is a message inherent in all major religions and faith traditions and is the cornerstone of the LGBTQ movement. If LGBTQ people and people of faith can speak together, our voices and impact will carry that message that much farther. HRC has worked with Catholic priest Father James Martin, and other Catholic leaders, on welcoming LGBTQ people into the Church.
Data released last year by PRRI show that solid majorities in all major religious groups support laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.
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