KATE MOYNIHAN SPEAKS TO ACI & BEGINS TO EDUCATE US
ON COMING OUT LOUD AND PROUD AS LGBTQI+ ALLIES
On the evening of the 28th October 2021, Kate Moynihan, CEO of LINC spoke to us on ZOOM about the lived experience of the LGBTQI+ community in Ireland and the experience of LGBTQI+ Catholics.
In the early stages of the Synodal Pathway, this was a rare and precious opportunity for lay people, religious, priests and bishops present to listen and learn directly from a leader of the Irish LGBTQI+ community, who was willing to speak to us. We are thankful to Kate for engaging with us, in her capacity as advocate for the LINC members she represents, who still identify as Catholics and who feel the weight of the injustice inflicted on them by our Church.
In her talk Kate provided a broad historical perspective of LGBTQI+ oppression in Ireland; insights from academic research on the contemporary lived experience of LGBTQI+ individuals here and powerful and poignant anecdotal accounts of being an LGBTQI+ Catholic.
One of the most alarming research findings that Kate spoke about is the vulnerability of young LGBTQI+ people, compared to their non-LGBTQI+ peers. LGBTQI+ youth are twice as likely to experience self-harm, three times more likely to experience suicide ideation, and four times more likely to experience extreme stress, anxiety, and depression.
Kate spoke to us about the subtle and pervasive nature of homophobia and the importance of engaging in LGBTQI+ Diversity Awareness and Training so that we can recognise and deconstruct our own latent homophobia and learn to become allies who help create the change needed in our communities, including our Church communities, so that everyone belongs equally and can feel pride and joy in who they are.
To read our complete article on Kate’s talk, with links to research articles and other resources, click here.
International support also needed
https://www.newwaysministry.org/2021/11/26/global-network-of-rainbow-catholics-seek-bishops-opposing-ghana-criminalization-effort/