I'm Catholic, sent my kid to Catholic schools. I would say it's a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of situation. That may or may not be acceptable to your family but you are not going to change the school/doctrine. However, many of us support LGBTQ and have friends and family members who are and would like to see the church change too. But the schools may not be for you.

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Anonymous wrote:Why would a gay person or child want to go to a catholic school or church? Pretty sure most Catholic Churches are not gay affirming.I feel like many families leave the Catholic Church over this issue.

There are some. It is important too seek one out of your child's sake. Go there if you want to raise you child in Catholic or other christian Faith. Just make sure it is affirming. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/

Although I think that (going to church) would be fine, I'm pretty sure Catholic schools aren't a great fit for a gay child from what I'm reading here on DCUM. Even if the school itself isn't an issue, you're gonna be surrounded by people who send their kids to Catholics with the intention of being around like-minded people. The families, other kids, etc might not treat your child well. Check out schools like Sidwell, GDS, SAES, SSFS, Bullis, Potomac, Waldorf, etc - so many to choose from.

You should not speak for Catholics if you are not one and you have not experience with a Catholic school.
There are MAGA Catholics and there are Catholics that accept all people.

I'm the PP and am not speaking for anyone. I did point out that my comment about schools was based on, "from what I'm reading here on DCUM." I also do think an affirming church (including catholic) would be best choice.

DCUM does a terrible job when it comes to Catholicism. There’s a lot of Catholic hate here, and much of it isn’t grounded in reality.

I argued recently with a poster who was CERTAIN Catholics believe in creationism. No, that is not taught in Catholic schools. Catholics actually believe in science.

DCUM does a terrible job with anything even remotely conservative. The admin clearly has a left-wing mindset.

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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.

OP said it is just because the schools are close to her house. Do not pick a school that a community built to support their own beliefs and go in and try to reap the benefits while not holding yourself to their rules. That is so disrespectful.

+1 million. Imagine catholics going to some woke secular school and trying to tell them being gay is bad. They would get shredded to pieces.

..are...are you being serious here? oh boy the lack of awareness in this comment

NP - I guess I share the PP's lack of awareness, because I too think that the OP's attitude is disrespectful toward the Catholic schools. and yes, I am being serious. Tolerance is a two way street.

No, this is the fallacy of tolerance. We do not have to tolerate the intolerant. Given how well-represented the religious group is in the current push to ban and burn books in schools and libraries throughout the nation, the lack of awareness is amazing. No one is being disrespectful. But I suppose it is as they say, though, when one is used to privilege, equality feels like oppression.

The religious group behind that push is Evangelical Protestants, not Catholics.

More than a few Catholics have enthusiastically jumped on that bandwagon. Don't let them slide.

Shame on that handful. Anyway, our Catholic school has a section of the library dedicated to encouraging them to read "banned" books and a link on the library web site to the Banned Books Week materials and free access to the books.

I made the bolded comment, and I agree with you. My DS attends a Catholic school that embraces every kid and family that comes through the door. There are some schools (and Catholics, unfortunately) who get really turned on by the opportunity to play Protestant.

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Anonymous wrote:Why would a gay person or child want to go to a catholic school or church? Pretty sure most Catholic Churches are not gay affirming.I feel like many families leave the Catholic Church over this issue.

There are some. It is important too seek one out of your child's sake. Go there if you want to raise you child in Catholic or other christian Faith. Just make sure it is affirming. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/

Although I think that (going to church) would be fine, I'm pretty sure Catholic schools aren't a great fit for a gay child from what I'm reading here on DCUM. Even if the school itself isn't an issue, you're gonna be surrounded by people who send their kids to Catholics with the intention of being around like-minded people. The families, other kids, etc might not treat your child well. Check out schools like Sidwell, GDS, SAES, SSFS, Bullis, Potomac, Waldorf, etc - so many to choose from.

You should not speak for Catholics if you are not one and you have not experience with a Catholic school.
There are MAGA Catholics and there are Catholics that accept all people.

I'm the PP and am not speaking for anyone. I did point out that my comment about schools was based on, "from what I'm reading here on DCUM." I also do think an affirming church (including catholic) would be best choice.

DCUM does a terrible job when it comes to Catholicism. There’s a lot of Catholic hate here, and much of it isn’t grounded in reality.

I argued recently with a poster who was CERTAIN Catholics believe in creationism. No, that is not taught in Catholic schools. Catholics actually believe in science.

Catholics send their children to Catholic schools for a number of reasons. High on most people’s list is the school reinforcing the teaching of the Church as the parents understand them. Many also want their kids to be part of the Catholic community with its traditions and values.

It seems that there are a sizeable number of non-Catholics who are concerned about the public schools but who are not interested in or able to pay the high tuitions of secular private schools.

To these people, the Catholic schools look like a potential solution. But they are offput by some of the teachings of the Church and the beliefs and values of some of the Catholic families. Talk about “eating your cake and wanting it too”.

Often when they send their kids to these schools, they are surprised by how insular the community is.

Many of the Catholics at these schools know why the non-Catholics are there. It isn’t for the Religion or the community or any of that. It’s because they see the school as a discount private school, a bargain, that is. That that attitude and motivation might be offensive to the Catholics never seems to dawn on the non-Catholics.

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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.

That doesn't mean that catholic schools are going to have clubs centered around a sexuality or support same-sex couples at the prom. Expecting to be treated with respect is one thing, expecting to be celebrated is another.

This is well said.

This. My openly gay child was ...fine at Gonzaga. (He came out as gay to himself and others AFTER some time at GZA.) No one was ever mean or outright homophobic to him. No one chastised him. He had plenty of people rooting for him. But at the end of the day, the Catholic Church and its affiliated institutions just do NOT recognize and accept same sex relations as they do opposite sex. Period. If DS...I don't know, wanted to get married at St. Al's...he wouldn't be able to. If he wanted to become President or Principal of the school someday, he'd have to hide that part of himself. The school wouldn't put pictures of him and his (male) date on their social media channels like they would a straight couple. (coed) Private high schools seem to eat it up if alumni marry each other, but I doubt if he married a Gonzaga classmate you'd see much of it. The school has all kinds of assemblies for Black history month and racial equity, etc...you're not going to see that for marriage equality or acceptance of same sex relationships. There's no Gay-Straight Alliance type club. And so on and so forth.

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. Respect and tolerance? Sure, I think you can get that at most of the DMV area Catholic high schools. But it's still within the confines of Catholic teaching. So long as Catholic schools are teaching Catholic teaching (imagine that!) will schools truly and authentically accept and celebrate LGBTQ folks? If that is important to you, I cannot understand why you would look at a Catholic school.

All of this.
If you find a “gay-AFFIRMING” Catholic Church, it is not actually a CATHOLIC Church, because the Catholic Church does not affirm homosexuality in practice.
That doesn’t mean you can’t find a Catholic church whise congregates welcome gay people who love being Catholic in every other respect. That doesn’t mean that other parishioners are going to boo and hiss at you or even be unkind to you in any way. But PP is correct that to be affirming, the Catholic Church would have ti cease being Catholic as its identity.

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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.

LGBTQ people who identify as Catholic but do not necessarily agree with the teachings and tenets of the Catholic Church, you mean, as those individuals have chosen to opt out of believing the Church’s/Pope’s position that practicing homosexuality is sinful. (The overall tenet, btw, is that ALL people are sinful in nature—it’s just that atonement in the Catholic Church requires confession of that sin and repentance from it. And if there is a particular “sin” that you hold onto and celebrate rather than repenting, then that’s the point at which one differs from the Church’s position.)

And I’m sure there are many people who work at Catholic schools or who attend them who do not subscribe to the official doctrine or beliefs that are officially the Catholic Church’s beliefs. Especially in our very progressive area.
That isn’t the same as an “LGBTQ Catholic institution”—as they are actually bound by the church to uphold these tenets as a matter of policy. I do think there are many who look the other way on it.
But one could argue that this means they no longer hold a “Catholic position”.
(Unlike Protestant denominations that tend to decide these things by concensus, the Pope is who determines these things for the Catholic Church worldwide. He is a “divine figurehead” who has the supreme authority on what beliefs constitutes Catholic beliefs.

So PP is merely saying why don’t those who do not agree with the tenets of Catholicism just go find another religion or school who agrees with their position/beliefs on the matter rather than try to force a religious school to change its beliefs to fit yours?

Anonymous wrote:Oh hun, consider sending your child to Sidwell, GDS, Potomac, etc. instead - for your child's sake....

100%. or public. Or anything. But, not Catholic.

Anonymous wrote:As a Catholic I’ve always tried to love my neighbor, and I certainly love, respect, and accept my LBGT friends and family. What has been surprising to me is to see the increasing hatred and intolerance of Catholics from secular liberals in the name of their progressive values. I don’t expect everyone to embrace my religion but if you’re preaching tolerance of all people and lifestyles that should include religious people too.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Most of us put our kids in Catholic school (at least in the Arlington Diocese) because we are drinking the kool-aid. Please stop trying to change our schools to fit your narrative. We like it the way it is.

Oh hun, consider sending your child to Sidwell, GDS, Potomac, etc. instead - for your child's sake....

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Anonymous wrote:Why would a gay person or child want to go to a catholic school or church? Pretty sure most Catholic Churches are not gay affirming.I feel like many families leave the Catholic Church over this issue.

There are some. It is important too seek one out of your child's sake. Go there if you want to raise you child in Catholic or other christian Faith. Just make sure it is affirming. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/

Although I think that (going to church) would be fine, I'm pretty sure Catholic schools aren't a great fit for a gay child from what I'm reading here on DCUM. Even if the school itself isn't an issue, you're gonna be surrounded by people who send their kids to Catholics with the intention of being around like-minded people. The families, other kids, etc might not treat your child well. Check out schools like Sidwell, GDS, SAES, SSFS, Bullis, Potomac, Waldorf, etc - so many to choose from.

You should not speak for Catholics if you are not one and you have not experience with a Catholic school.
There are MAGA Catholics and there are Catholics that accept all people.

I'm the PP and am not speaking for anyone. I did point out that my comment about schools was based on, "from what I'm reading here on DCUM." I also do think an affirming church (including catholic) would be best choice.

Not PVI. Even though the principal is obviously gay. Not friendly to anyone. Very unfriendly and unkind school. Can't wait for DD to be done. We don't want to move her Junior year, but oh what a mistake.

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Anonymous wrote:Why would a gay person or child want to go to a catholic school or church? Pretty sure most Catholic Churches are not gay affirming.I feel like many families leave the Catholic Church over this issue.

There are some. It is important too seek one out of your child's sake. Go there if you want to raise you child in Catholic or other christian Faith. Just make sure it is affirming. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/

Although I think that (going to church) would be fine, I'm pretty sure Catholic schools aren't a great fit for a gay child from what I'm reading here on DCUM. Even if the school itself isn't an issue, you're gonna be surrounded by people who send their kids to Catholics with the intention of being around like-minded people. The families, other kids, etc might not treat your child well. Check out schools like Sidwell, GDS, SAES, SSFS, Bullis, Potomac, Waldorf, etc - so many to choose from.

You should not speak for Catholics if you are not one and you have not experience with a Catholic school.

There are MAGA Catholics and there are Catholics that accept all people.

Send you child to a school that will appreciate him/her/they for who they are and with families who are naturally inclusive.
This makes me happy to see. The whole school celebrates diversity = https://www.instagram.com/p/CtM08gxLWUC/?hl=en&img_index=1

Anonymous wrote:Why would a gay person or child want to go to a catholic school or church? Pretty sure most Catholic Churches are not gay affirming.I feel like many families leave the Catholic Church over this issue.

There are some. It is important too seek one out of your child's sake. Go there if you want to raise you child in Catholic or other christian Faith. Just make sure it is affirming. https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/

Although I think that (going to church) would be fine, I'm pretty sure Catholic schools aren't a great fit for a gay child from what I'm reading here on DCUM. Even if the school itself isn't an issue, you're gonna be surrounded by people who send their kids to Catholics with the intention of being around like-minded people. The families, other kids, etc might not treat your child well. Check out schools like Sidwell, GDS, SAES, SSFS, Bullis, Potomac, Waldorf, etc - so many to choose from.