Dignity Philadelphia’s Ministry to Area’s LGBTQ+ Catholics

In celebration of Pride month, Dignity Philadelphia, one of the earliest, and at one time one of the largest, chapters of DignityUSA, a national membership organization of LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies was recently featured by the local NBC-TV for their many decades of ministry to people in the metropolitan Philly area.

The group meets weekly for Mass at Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany, an Episcopal parish, is located in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood. Since 1973, the organization has been serving the LGBTQ+ Catholic community and making the Church a safe space for those that have previously been marginalized. 

New Ways Ministry’s co-founder Sister Jeannine Gramick was one of the founders of Dignity/Philadelphia, along with a small group of gay and lesbian Catholics.  Sister Jeannine had just begun doing ministry with the lesbian and gay community in 1971, over 50 years ago.

Kate Carroll

One of the current leaders is Kate Carroll, a board member for Dignity Philadelphia. Kate grew up in the Midwest where she struggled to identify with those in her religious community. After moving to Philly, she found Dignity and began going to church again. She explained:

“Coming into a religious community that not only tolerates some parts of you, but is really joyfully accepting and celebrating every single part of you is a very healing experience.”  

Similarly, Norman Simmons, and older Catholic, has found a home in Dignity He stated: 

“I was in denial until my 50s. I came out in my 50s. Earlier, I accepted the line that, well, I can change this. I went through therapy. I said, ‘I can’t change. It’s me.’”

Now, Simmons helps to lead Church services and says that  If it was not for Dignity Philadelphia, his life may have turned out differently:

“I couldn’t accept myself as a Catholic and as a gay man and a gay priest. Without Dignity, I might have not been alive today. I would have killed myself.” 

While the Catholic Church still does not universally and fully accept LGBTQ+ folks and does not approve of same-sex marriage, Dignity/Philadelphia members feel respected and affirmed. Many are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will continue Pope Francis’ progressive work with the LGBTQ+ community in order to make safer spaces for LGBTQ+ Catholics. Carroll states: 

“I am hopeful that Pope Leo will continue that tradition of being in community with people. To listening, to sitting down and breaking bread with folks who are different from him.” 

The work of Dignity Philadelphia  shows how  LGBTQ+ folks can be valued members of the Catholic Church. Everyone, regardless of sexual or gender identity, deserves an inclusive space to worship and develop their spirituality. 

–Sarah Cassidy, New Ways Ministry, June 25, 2025