Local LGBTQ+ advocates and religious leaders say Des Moines Parish’s new gender identity policy is harmful, hateful and discriminates against transgender staff, students and church members.
One group, the Interfaith League of Iowa, recently condemned the policy. One of them prohibits the use of preferred pronouns during ministry.
The policy, which went into effect on January 16 and affects several Catholic churches and schools, requires people to use bathrooms and changing rooms and to follow a dress code that matches their gender at birth. A document outlining the new regulations according to the first KCCI report obtained.
The parish also mandates that students participate in school sports and activities that “match” their biological sex, and bans people from having “onsite” or distributing “medicine for sex reassignment.” The KCCI reported, citing documents not yet made public. will be published.
Des Moines Parish currently represents 80 churches, 17 Catholic schools and 4 hospitals, according to the parish’s website.
A parish spokesman said the policy was “part of a lengthy process” aimed at addressing questions from Catholic schools and church leaders. In an email to the Des Moines Register, Marie Cox said documents detailing these directives will be formally released on January 16, the same day as their effective date.
Courtney Reyes, executive director of the LGBTQ+ equality group One Iowa, was among those who publicly criticized the parish in a statement, noting that the parish’s latest policy is a “genuine He said he was looking for compassion.
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“Other members don’t have to fight to be called by the right name, use the right pronouns, or access the right restroom. It’s the same as mixing up “love,” Reyes said in a news release. “You can’t pretend to be considerate and misgender people or deny them access to everywhere under your control.”
She said that all children, “whether gay, straight, transgender or cisgender,” deserve to be treated with respect, and that “the parish should provide medically necessary care.” Announcing a restrictive policy, forcing staff to misgender students and creating serious safety issues…none of that for toilet usage.”
State Senator Claire Sersi expressed concern about the parish’s directive on Facebook, posting, “This is not what Jesus would do.”
Celsi told the Register that many people exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation are often young and sometimes turn to teachers and school administrators for help. , the school is excluded from the shelter.
“I think it’s reprehensible to actually come out and say, ‘Let’s eradicate this, let’s pretend it doesn’t exist’ and issue this kind of edict,” she said.
John Robbins, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, said the Archdiocese was “not a party” to the Des Moines document and “has not instructed other Iowa Catholic dioceses on what to do and what not to do.” ‘ said.
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The Archdiocese has previously stated that it “cannot live up to the idea that people can choose and change their gender”, but “whether we can find the truth in it, seek common ground or embrace acceptance.” It’s open to other perspectives to see if it promotes…even if you don’t agree.”
“Others may consider Catholics ignorant, but when in our various ministries we cannot accommodate someone’s preferred gender representation, we deserve respect too. What we can do is follow Jesus: be close to transgender people, feel their pain, listen to their stories, tell them the other side of the story, share life and love with them. ‘ said the Archdiocese.
F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at fugade@dmreg.com or follow her on her Twitter. @writefelissa.