LGBTQ+ Friendly Catholic High Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you people who don't actually believe in Catholicism keep wanting to send your kids to Catholic schools. There are plenty of liberal privates out there. Pick any of them and leave the Catholic schools to people who actually want a space where they can be Catholics.

There are plenty of LGBTQ Catholics.

Self-hating ones.

[Anonymous]

This feels like a troll post designed to stir up the anti-Catholic contingent. In case it is not, I echo the posters who wonder why on earth you would consider sending your child to a school if you don't agree with the belief system. There are PLENTY of schools in the area that would be better. I also agree that it's a certain kind of arrogant to expect a private school (voluntary attendance) to change it's beliefs/teachings/whatever to your liking. If you don't like it, go elsewhere. Pretty simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also agree that it's a certain kind of arrogant to expect a private school (voluntary attendance) to change it's beliefs/teachings/whatever to your liking. If you don't like it, go elsewhere. Pretty simple.

Does this argument apply to schools that are supposedly too "woke" or "right-wing" or whatever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also agree that it's a certain kind of arrogant to expect a private school (voluntary attendance) to change it's beliefs/teachings/whatever to your liking. If you don't like it, go elsewhere. Pretty simple.

Does this argument apply to schools that are supposedly too "woke" or "right-wing" or whatever?

Yes. Absolutely. We are very conservative politically and have our kids in what DCUM would consider a liberal school. We knew what we were getting into from the beginning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

You won't find homophobic "rhetoric" at Christian schools in general, and Catholic ones are no exception. What purpose would that serve? Practices...well, that depends on how you define it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catholics don’t support LGBTQ+. Why would you even consider this for a kid who identifies as such? Ridiculous.

The pope says, ok sure be “gay” if you must. But you’d better be chaste! Any sexual act is a sin. double whammy if you’re gay.

The Catholic Church is a hypocritical mess. Always has been; always will be.

This is the most accurate comment I've seen regarding the Church. Catholicism is not anti-gay, Catholicism is against any sex act that isn't procreative and unitive. This technically includes sex out of marriage, sex on birth control, and gay sex.

For what it's worth, OP, I was raised in Catholic school with multiple family members that were LGBTQ. It never caused any issues as my parents took the opportunity to discuss what I learned in school and how the teachings of the Church fit with how we lived our lives and our beliefs. One can be Catholic and not subscribe to every teaching of the Church. Yes, I know there are a lot of people who would disagree with that, but that's their choice just as my belief structure is my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of Catholic hate from people with little experience.

American Catholics are very split on the Church's stance on many social issues, including LGBTQ. Your child may face some homophobia from more conservative Catholic students and teachers but will also get quite a bit of support from those who believe that the Church should evolve. That debate is happening even within the Synod happening in Rome.

I'd start by getting a sense as to whether the HS near you has a reputation of being more liberal or conservative. I.e. social justice-type Catholic or a more traditional or conservative take. Find families who go there and talk to them. Everyone must take religion, and the flavor of it will really depend on the teacher and what they want to focus on.

There will be little you can do to push back if you aren't happy, though.

This is very true and you will find Catholics of both flavors at most schools. There was a dustup at my kids' Catholic school over some parents who wanted to put up a rather innocuous pro-life poster (something like "moms and babies both deserve love") and the liberals who found it judgemental.
Personally I believe you should find a school that fits you rather than the other way around. You have a plethora of schools to choose from if this is your hill to die on so why try to change the few that differ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

The church as a whole may report being tolerant or accepting but still holds the dogma that "homosexual acts" are "grave sins against chastity". IME, it is very much on a person-by-person basis whether anyone Catholic (ordained or not) or Catholic institution such as a school will be welcoming to or even tolerant of the gay community. And obviously there is a big difference between welcoming and tolerant. I believe you may find tolerance some places, but actual welcoming and true acceptance? I don't know about that.

Full disclosure: I'm a former Catholic with priests, nuns, and Deacons in my family going back generations. And a gay family member who was not treated kindly by the Catholic Church or by many family members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

I’m sympathetic to you because everything here, including education, is too dang expensive, but that doesn’t mean that your child is entitled to go to a Catholic school or that they should water down their beliefs to appeal to you. I’m Catholic and certainly struggle with certain teachings. But it drives me absolutely crazy when non-Catholics want to have their cake and eat it too. Please don’t be openly disdainful of the Church and then elbow your way into a space created for its members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

The church as a whole may report being tolerant or accepting but still holds the dogma that "homosexual acts" are "grave sins against chastity". IME, it is very much on a person-by-person basis whether anyone Catholic (ordained or not) or Catholic institution such as a school will be welcoming to or even tolerant of the gay community. And obviously there is a big difference between welcoming and tolerant. I believe you may find tolerance some places, but actual welcoming and true acceptance? I don't know about that.

Full disclosure: I'm a former Catholic with priests, nuns, and Deacons in my family going back generations. And a gay family member who was not treated kindly by the Catholic Church or by many family members.

Pretty much everything teens are doing are "grave sins". Can we judge every.single.school based on your experience. You think there are no homophobes in public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

The church as a whole may report being tolerant or accepting but still holds the dogma that "homosexual acts" are "grave sins against chastity". IME, it is very much on a person-by-person basis whether anyone Catholic (ordained or not) or Catholic institution such as a school will be welcoming to or even tolerant of the gay community. And obviously there is a big difference between welcoming and tolerant. I believe you may find tolerance some places, but actual welcoming and true acceptance? I don't know about that.

Full disclosure: I'm a former Catholic with priests, nuns, and Deacons in my family going back generations. And a gay family member who was not treated kindly by the Catholic Church or by many family members.

Pretty much everything teens are doing are "grave sins". Can we judge every.single.school based on your experience. You think there are no homophobes in public schools?

Of course there are homophobes in public school. They are everywhere, hidden or not.

And, no, of course you can't judge every school based on my experiences. That is why I said "IME" and shared the disclosure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just posing these questions for research on specific schools. Not trying to skirt any rules or reap benefits without respecting the Faith. We are a Catholic family with an LGBTQ (immediate) family member and we don't want our child to be exposed to homophobic rhetoric or practices. Public school isn't working and the tuition at liberal privates is too much. I'd like to believe there are a few schools, even just one or two, (like McNamara!) that are welcoming to the gay community.

I’m sympathetic to you because everything here, including education, is too dang expensive, but that doesn’t mean that your child is entitled to go to a Catholic school or that they should water down their beliefs to appeal to you. I’m Catholic and certainly struggle with certain teachings. But it drives me absolutely crazy when non-Catholics want to have their cake and eat it too. Please don’t be openly disdainful of the Church and then elbow your way into a space created for its members.

In the sentence just before the one you added a bold emphasis to, OP says they are Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Without getting into the whole dogma argument, the answer to the question is that there are LGBTQ+-friendly Catholic schools. As noted, AHC is very supportive, with administration-recognized clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you people who don't actually believe in Catholicism keep wanting to send your kids to Catholic schools. There are plenty of liberal privates out there. Pick any of them and leave the Catholic schools to people who actually want a space where they can be Catholics.

There are plenty of LGBTQ Catholics.

Yes, but that's presumably because they enjoy being persecuted. Religion is a choice, not innate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics don’t support LGBTQ+. Why would you even consider this for a kid who identifies as such? Ridiculous.

The pope says, ok sure be “gay” if you must. But you’d better be chaste! Any sexual act is a sin. double whammy if you’re gay.

The Catholic Church is a hypocritical mess. Always has been; always will be.

This is the most accurate comment I've seen regarding the Church. Catholicism is not anti-gay, Catholicism is against any sex act that isn't procreative and unitive. This technically includes sex out of marriage, sex on birth control, and gay sex.

For what it's worth, OP, I was raised in Catholic school with multiple family members that were LGBTQ. It never caused any issues as my parents took the opportunity to discuss what I learned in school and how the teachings of the Church fit with how we lived our lives and our beliefs. One can be Catholic and not subscribe to every teaching of the Church. Yes, I know there are a lot of people who would disagree with that, but that's their choice just as my belief structure is my choice.

Why do you lie about easily verifiable facts?

Priests are unmarried and celibate, but gay men cannot be priests.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_clergy_in_the_Catholic_Church