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GAY

HIGH GEAR

CATHOLICS

Two articles in the New York Times of February 22, 1976, suggest that despite the Vatican declaration of January 15, condemning premarital sex, masturbation and homosexuality, there is movement toward a more accepting attitude toward gays among some Roman Catholic. leaders.

Most significant is a pastoral letter issued by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero, spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, in which he defends the "legitimate" rights of all. people including gays. Pointing out to his flock that homosexuals have been "subject to misunderstanding and, at times, unjust discrimination," Bishop Mugavero urged that his community "must explore ways to. secure the legitimate rights of all our citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, while being sensitive to the understanding and hopes of all involved."

Perhaps wishing to avoid the appearance even of conflict, a diocesan spokesman referred to the letter as a "comment on" rather than a "response to" the

Vatican

declaration. He emphasized that the Bishop's purpose was to "urge priests, counselors and others to express concern and compassion for those men and women who experience pain and confusion due to a sexual orientation."

Although the pastoral letter affirmed heterosexuality as normal, it avoided any condemnation of homosexuality. Two statements in the letter testify to its more positive tone: "We urge homosexual men and women to avoid identifying their personhood with their sexual orientation. They are so much more as persons than this single aspect of their personality. That richness must not be lost"; and "It is not homosexuality which should be one's claim to acceptance or human rights or being loved by us all it is a fact that we are all brothers and sisters under the Fatherhood of God."

Another article presents a less sympathetic attitude in quoting the response from across the East River to Dignity, the Roman Catholic gay rights group. The article reports that the New York

Archdiocese said that the group are "doing commendable work," "If Dignity is attempting to counsel Catholics of homosexual tendencies to refrain from homosexual acts." This statement continues that unless the organization clearly discourages all homosexualacts, opposes "homosexual recruitment and homosexual influence in the community and especially with young persons,' then Dignity is "in direct opposition to basic Catholic moral principles."

The article reports that Dignity has met more favorable responses in such major Catholic cities

as

Baltimore, Detroit and Chicago. Its chapters meet in such Catholic facilities as college chaplaincy offices.

In discussing the growth of the organization, the article cites the challenge to the scriptural bases for condemning homosexual acts promoted by the Rev. John McNeill, a Jesuit moral theologian. Father McNeill's interest in gay rights grew out of his awareness, while counseling gays, that most

What A Drag

Michael and Steven Conners

may have done the impossible. They're producing a top flight musical revue written and cast in New York City with rehearsal and opening night in Toledo, Ohio!

After bumping into a guy who asked: "what ever happened to the Jewel Box Revue?", the Conners brothers investigated and found that the grand old show no longer existed, but several of the original stars were still alive and willing to work.

Steve Conners, a veteran theatrical producer, quickly called Dan Lanning and Jimmy Reid, two men experienced "in staging and directing musical shows, and convinced them that they were going to put together the biggest and best revue the public would ever see. They

could not change their sexual orientation and that those who. tried to remain celibate, because they avoided close relationships, out of a sense of isolation often turned to drugs and alcohol.

In an interview, Father McNeill recounted the pattern he had. observed: "Typically, a homosexual would get drunk, engage in impersonal sex, be

APRIL 1976

agreed and "What A Drag" was born.

Immediately, Mike Conners began to set the route major cities in six states one city every day. Mike called Caldwell to book and co-ordinate the tour, Art Rice to handle the Press, Kelly Compton for Public Relations, and Leonard Dowling for market research and group ticket sales.

"What A Drag" had become a reality.

Among the appearing stars are Bruno Le Fantastique, Brandy Alexander, Toni Lee, Bobbie Clark, Tiffany Cartier (who does Kate Smith), Ron Stevens (who does an original Lily Tomlin), Carol Durrell, and Harriet Lieder, the only "real" women in the show.

overwhelmed by guilt and selfhatred, confess, receive absolution, and then the whole pattern would be repeated. So it began to dawn on me that the pastoral practice of the church actually promoted promiscuity. What it really forbade was any deep relationship. At the very point where he developed an ongoing relationship, we would have to deny his absolution."

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