Gay issues subject of upcoming events

Tue., Sept. 28, 2004

From staff reports

Gay marriage, which has become a controversial issue this election year, is the topic of discussion at several upcoming events. The following are free and open to the public:

•”Gay Marriage and Civil Unions: A Catholic Reflection”

Patricia Beattie Jung, a Roman Catholic associate professor of theology at Loyola University in Chicago will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University.

Jung, a specialist in Christian sexual ethics and issues fundamental to moral theology, will examine the moral and theological questions raised by the controversy over gay marriage. She will address some of the ethical and religious issues raised by the possibility of gays marrying or entering into civil unions, and how Catholics and other Christians might respond.

For more information, contact Pat McCormick, professor of Religious Studies, at (509) 323-6715 or via e-mail at mccormick@gonzaga.edu.

•”Beyond Gay: A Journey Into Deeper Identity”

David Morrison, a mentor with Courage, a Catholic apostolate that reaches out to people who struggle with homosexuality, will address the topic, “Beyond Gay: A Journey into Deeper Identity” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2 in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University.

Morrison, a former gay rights activist who lived an active homosexual lifestyle, says he found Christ and sees the truth in the Catholic view on homosexuality. He will explain why he believes that the Catholic response is the most compassionate and share his story and struggle with sexual identity.

For more information, contact Paul Dawson, president of the Newman-Stein Fellowship, a GU Catholic club, at (509) 324-4193 or via e-mail at pdawson@gonzaga.edu.

•”Take a Stand for Marriage: Mayday for Marriage Rally”

The Coalition for Authentic Marriage is organizing this gathering at the Arena to encourage people to pray, vote and rally in order to “respond to the attack on traditional marriage.” For more information, call 232-2099. The event takes place Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.