This is a segment of a forum for gay and lesbian Catholic youth held during the World Youth Day week in Sydney July 2008. Presented by GLBT Catholic support group Acceptance Sydney (www.gaycatholic.com.au), the forum asks the rhetorical question "Is there a place for gay and lesbian Catholic youth in the Church?". Speakers included a parent couple with two gay sons, a youth worker from a GLBT support agency, a young gay Catholic guy and a Jesuit priest. A short play, "Boys Don't Cry", was also presented. Due to video limitations we have had to split the broadcast into 10 clips representing the 6 speakers involved in the forum. Acceptance Sydney's mission statement is to provide a safe, spiritual and social environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics their family and friends. (from the moderator : Check out CLIP 9 .. very interesting)

We all need to engage in the process of making an informed conscience decision if we want to grow in character, personal integrity, and moral development. We need to speak our truth, even if no one is listening, even if our speech is opposed, even if we walk alone, even if we are afraid. We need to be true to the person God expects us to be, true to who we are meant to become. We can do this if we follow our conscience. Sister Jeannine Gramick has been a Roman Catholic nun for more than 50 years. While obtaining her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, she became involved in a pastoral outreach to lesbian and gay Catholics. Her religious community assigned her to LGBT ministry in 1977. She has spoken and written extensively on the subject. Her books include Homosexuality in the Priesthood and Religious Life, The Vatican and Homosexuality, Building Bridges, and Voices of Hope. In 1999, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that she should cease her ministry. She said, “I chose not to collaborate in my own oppression” and continues to advocate for LGBT people with the approval of the Sisters of Loretto. Her ministry is documented in the film, "In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick's Journey of Faith," by the Peabody and Emmy award-winning director, Barbara Rick. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Join us live at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice as Father James Martin, New York Times bestselling author and Editor at Large of America Media, gives a new talk on LGBT Catholics at IFTJ '19. #IFTJ ------ America Media is the leading provider of editorial content for thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking. ****** Sign-up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Ka4SOi Subscribe to America Magazine: http://bit.ly/2KeFiHI ****** Follow us on Social Media: • America Media on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Kal3Ll • America Media on Twitter: http://bit.ly/2viJosZ • America Media on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Ka5q6O ****** Support more videos like this: http://bit.ly/2vgqm6A America Media americamagazine.org