Call Us at 612-721-6341, or email dignitytwincities@hotmail.com
P.O. Box  68024, Minneapolis,  MN 55418-8024

Brief History of Dignity Twin Cities

October 26, 1974 - Fr. Henry LeMay, from Granite Falls, MN holds the first Dignity Twin Cities' chapter formation meeting and liturgy at the Thunderbird Motel in Bloomington, MN.

1976- Dignity Twin Cities begins celebrating liturgies at The Newman Center at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus.

1977 - In a vote of 71 "no," and 70 "yes," St. Stephen's parish , Minneapolis, votes not to host liturgies of Dignity Twin Cities.

November 22, 1978 - Dignity / Twin Cities incorporated as a Minnesota non-profit organization.

October 31, 1986-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issues a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, which states, "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic morel evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder." The letter concluded by directing bishops to prohibit groups that disagreed with church teaching from meeting on property owned by the Church.

1987- Archbishop John Roach requests in a letter that Dignity Twin Cities agree to sign a statement that it is in agreement with Church teaching on homosexuality as a condition of keeping its lease at the Newman Center. Dignity membership meets and decides that its official reply to the archbishop is that it will not agree to make such a statement. As a result, Dignity is not allowed to renew its lease at the Newman Center. On June 26, 1987, Dignity holds its last liturgy at the Newman Center, and moves to the University Lutheran / Episcopal Center, across the street.

Dignity files a complaint of discrimination with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department alleging discrimination in public accommodation on the basis of sexual preference, prohibited under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance. Members of Dignity /Twin Cites testify in a public hearing before the Civil Rights Commission July 24, 25, 26, 1989.

November 26, 1990 - The Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission issues a judment against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis ordering it to rent space to Dignity, pay $8,500 in punitive damages, $10,000 in lawyer's fees, and a $15,000 fine.

June 25, 1991 - A three judge panel of the Minnesota State Court of Appeals overturns the judgment of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission citing excessive state entanglement in church affairs, and violating the Church's right of religious freedom.

August 29, 1991 - The Minnesota State Supreme Court refuses to review the decision of the State Court of Appeals, effectively ending the dispute between Dignity / Twin Cities and the Archdiocese.

1992- Dignity moves to the United Campus Ministries Center at the University of Minnesota.

November 8, 1992 - Dignity / Twin Cities holds a protest , attended by over 200, in front of the chancery of the Archdiocese to demand that Archbishop Roach repudiate the Vatican directive the US bishops shold work against legislation to protect the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens.

1992-1993- Dignity looks for alternative meeting space due to parking and traffic problems at the University of Minnesota. St. Stephen's Parish, Minneapolis, invited Dignity to meet there. After one liturgy at St. Stephen's, September 11, 1992, Archbishop Roach forced Dignity to move to a non-Catholic space.

May 14, 1993 - Dignity holds its first liturgy at Prospect Park United Methodist Church, where it continues to meet.

August, 1994 - With educational training and leadership from Dignity / Twin Cities, St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Minneapolis ,adopts a "Statement of Reconciliation," outlining the steps the parish will take to reconcile with the glbt Catholic community.

2001-2007 - Many Dignity Twin Cities members attend Mass on Pentecost each year at the Cathedral of St. Paul wearing the Rainbow Sash, a practice prohibited by Archbishop Harry Flynn in 2005.

2007 - Womanpriest the Rev. Regina Nicolosi begins celebrating Mass with Dignity Twin Cities every other month.