Same-Sex Attraction & Gender Dysphoria

During an interview on August 19, 2013 (complete text is on the  Vatican website), Pope Francis spoke about homosexual persons, saying: “We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. In life, God accompanies persons, and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy.”

Below are some resources to assist us in providing that essential merciful accompaniment for our loved ones, while still revering the life-giving truths that Christ has revealed to us about our sexuality and our true identity in him.

The Third Way

The Third Way is a documentary produced by Blackstone Films that goes a long way toward following the urging of Pope Francis to "consider the person" in the area of homosexuality.  Told from the perspective of several people living with same-sex attraction, it gives a glimpse into world of our brothers and sisters engaged in this battle.  It details the silent desperation and hurts they have endured, often at the hands of Christians.  At the same time, it offers hope as they recount the deeply penetrating joy and fulfillment they have come to experience through discovering their dignity as beloved sons and daughters of God invited to live out love in a unique and thoroughly authentic way.  The film also features insights and commentary by Catholic experts such as Father Mike Schmitz, Christopher West, Chris Stefanick, and Jason Evert.

The Third Way (YouTube) is an excellent resource for those struggling with same-sex attraction, friends and family members, church workers, those engaged in men's or women's ministries, or anyone who wants to better understand and love someone with same-sex attraction.

“Courage” is an international Catholic apostolic outreach to persons with same-sex attraction (resources). It was begun in 1980 in the Archdiocese of New York. However, persons with homosexual desires have always been with us; until recent times, there has been little, if any, formal outreach from the Church in the way of support groups or information for such persons. Most were left to work out their path on their own. As a result some found themselves listening to and accepting the secular society’s perspective and opting to act on their same-sex desires. Others are looking to the Church for guidance and support.

Being a family in the current age can be a challenge. To help address some of the issues that families face today, “Courage” is now available in the Fargo-Moorhead area (contact information is listed below), to assist Catholics with same-sex attraction to live their life in accord with the Catholic teaching on the meaning of human sexuality and chastity.

The following five goals of Courage were created by the members themselves, when Courage was founded. Members are called to practice them in their daily lives:

1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality (Chastity).
2. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (Prayer and Dedication).
3. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone (Fellowship).
4. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life; and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships (Support).
5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others (Good Example/Role Model).

Contact Information in Fargo-Moorhead

If you or someone you know area suffers with same-sex attraction and may be interested in participating in Courage in the Fargo (ND) / Moorhead (MN) area, please refer them to the following contact information: 701-356-7960. E-mail: [email protected]. (All contacts are kept confidential.)

Courage Website

Visit the national Courage website at couragerc.net. Here are some resources which are available:

• Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
• Downloadable brochures
• What is chastity?
• The spirituality of Courage

Questions regarding gender and sex have become flashpoints of profound confusion and division in our times.  As with same-sex attraction, a critical distinction must be made between those who struggle with gender dysphoria (a sense of tension or discord between one's biological sex and their inner experience of themselves) and those who champion an ideology of gender that is fundamentally at odds with the foundational Christian doctrine of God's creation of us as male and female. 

Such gender ideologies will claim that what matters is not how one was created but how one feels inside.  And yet, as Pope Francis stated, "It is one thing to be understanding of human weakness and the complexities of life, and another to accept ideologies that attempt to sunder what are inseparable aspects of reality...We are creatures, and not omnipotent.  Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift" (Amoris Laetita, 56)

The challenge, of course, is to always preserve the unbreakable bond of unity between love and truth here.   One without the other becomes either decadent and destructive or oppressive and ultimately obscures the redeeming and transformative love of Christ for everyone single person.  In short what is needed most is clarity and charity.  Our desire is to provide resource for both below.

As many people are trying to understand the various aspects of gender ideology, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has compiled a resources summarizing Catholic teaching in this area: “Gender Theory” / “Gender Ideology”.
 

Person and Identity is an excellent web-based resource that provides a Catholic view on the many complex issues relating to gender ideology.  This includes both conceptual and practical resources for anyone who is either struggling with gender dsyphoria, knows someone who is, or simply wants to know more about this phenomenon and how we as Catholics can respond.



The American College of Pediatricians is the only pro-life association of pediatricians in the United States.  In many ways the ACP has blazed the trail in responding to much of the erroneous medical messaging that is being promoted today.  A sample of some of their resources is included below:

• Gender Ideology Harms Children – a resource published by the American College of Pediatricians which addresses the very real dangers that gender ideology poses to children.

• “The Dangers of Transgender Ideology” – a video explanation of the problem by Michelle Cretellla, M.D., president of the American College of Pediatricians.