News and Views

Following her meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on October 17, Outreach spoke with Sister Jeannine Gramick, S.L., the co-founder of New Ways Ministry, about her relationship with the pontiff and her thoughts on the ongoing synodal process.

By multiple accounts, LGBTQ people—at least through their stories and struggles—were present in the Synod hall. But they are noticeably absent from this document.

These papal meetings come amid widespread speculation and significant interest about discussions between Synod delegates on LGBTQ topics.

The ever-present risk of expulsion and the lingering fear of state-sanctioned prejudice looms large over a lesbian teacher’s life in “Blue Jean,” the sensitive and often surprising debut film from British newcomer Georgia Oakley.

The new rules—the latest in a series of school-focused gender identity guidelines published by U.S. Catholic dioceses since last year—discourage the use of “LGBTQ” or similar terms to address students.

In a press release, the Human Rights Campaign (H.R.C.), based in Washington, D.C., said its emergency declaration was triggered by “a dizzying patchwork of discriminatory state laws” and an avalanche of legislation aimed at curtailing LGBTQ civil rights.

Last June, the Pew Research Center found that only 1.6 percent of all U.S. adults say they are transgender or nonbinary; that number is 5.1 percent among people ages 18 to 29.

“I felt he was a very holy man, and he was one of the few cardinals whom I asked for their blessing at the end of the interview,” said Father Reese.

An exploration of the Libs of TikTok Twitter feed, which boasts 1.7 million followers and has found an audience among conservative-leaning publications including the New York Post and The Federalist, reveals tired stereotypes and little interest in reportage.

Treating an oft-maligned community as a debate only furthers their marginalization in the church—and fosters suspicion and division in the pews.