Why wasn't it placed for LGBT+people at the Lisbon GMG?

Press release on the experience at the GMG Lisbon 2023 of ARC-ACIS Center (Portugal),Christhom (Ecumenical christian community of Madrid, Spain), Usa Dignity (United States), Ichtys cristianə Lgbth of Seville (Spain), freely translated Elisa Belotti

The realities that, thanks to the coordination of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, collaborated with the Arco-aíris Center,-christhes, usefulness of USA with Ichtys Sevilla-have published a press release on their experience at the GMG as Christian people queer to tell the Omolesbobitransfolic attacks that took place in Lisbon.

The ARCO-íri Centers (Portuguese),Christhom (Ecumenical christian community of Madrid), Usa Dignity (United States), Ichtys cristianə Lgbth of Seville (Spain) as (reality of Christians LGBT+) participating in the "Aacobaleno Center" promoted by the Global Network Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) on the last World Youth Day (GMG), convened by the Holy Father in the city of Lisbon in August 2023, want to express their immense gratitude towards God and celebrate the historical fact of the existence of an inclusive space in a world of youth.

This space offered any participant with the experience of meeting and training with other Christian people LGBT, although it was not possible to include its activities in the official program, apparently for formal reasons related to the timing, which leads us to hope that in the next GMG they will be included.

High -level theological training, celebration of the Eucharist, Cineforum, exchange of information and open meetings were the main activities offered by the Arcobaleno center.

All young people who have made the reality of LGBTQ believers visible and their supporters in this GMG Lisbon 2023 deserve our maximum respect, admiration and praise. Especially for their evangelical, peaceful, non -intrusive and courageous work. Especially when two unhappy situations of attack and violence have occurred by other Catholic pilgrims and pilgrims participating in the GMG against our young people.

These people, acting unreasonablely, tried to boycott a Eucharistic celebration on August 3 (animated by LGBT Christians), bringing crucifixes and singing aloud in Latin. This happened despite the fact that the Eucharist is perhaps the most sacred of the sacraments of our common faith. Thank God, the police had the opportunity to intervene to defend the rights of our brothers, sisters and companies.

Two days later, other people threatened the pilgrims (LGBT+ and their family members) who traveled with US dignity and attended the vigil of the last day. The young US -dignity pilgrims were forced to abandon the vigil, feeling very insecure after numerous other GMG participants repeatedly questioned their presence, their knowledge of Catholicism, which brought a rainbow flag and where they had arranged.

Fortunately, no person was physically attacked. Usa nonalty pilgrims are very disappointed by having to stop participation in one of the main events of the GMG. Furthermore, previously, during the week, they suffered the theft of a rainbow flag.

The group of pilgrims of the Arco-aíris center did not have the same fortune. They have undergone numerous insults, pushes, the launch of stones on them and also the theft of one of the LGBTQIA+ flags they brought with them.

They were forced to abandon the meeting and spend most of the night in the police station, filling out the complaints and trying to overcome the terrible experience they lived in their country. Days apart from numerous members of the center are still disturbed and injured by this. And despite the fact that there was no physical damage, the moral damage is countless. First of all, not to be able to attend a vigil celebrated in their city, in your country only because LGBTQIA+ and then the trauma of having spent the night in a police station.

They lived the desperation of seeing themselves attached and insulted without the support of the other pilgrims and a disturbance that remains when they remember the events. They ask themselves if they live something similar when they make themselves visible again as Christians LGBTQIA+. To these facts are added other attacks by LGBTFOBIA known by the media.

This has taught us that there is still a long way to go, because we have mistakenly thought that the Pope's vigil was a safe place, where everyone, everyone, could all have space, but considering what happened in the next occasions we will organize ourselves to participate all, all, all together, because union makes strength.

Clearly, it is not yet time for a small group of lGBTQIA+people, Especially if they are women or vulnerable people -the profile of people who are closely Attached -to access this event alone, without meeting some violent obstacles. we take Note for the future and consider the responsible organization.

We request that the organizers Of The world Youth day, both those In lisbon and those In the vatican, meet the leaders and members of our group to get to know our experiences and our need to be safe and respected in the events Of The church. we want this experience to have a real security and the possibility for all people, regardless of the identity of gender or sexual orientation, to participate freely and safely in the future events of The World youth Day.

Consequently, we are strongly prayed for the conversion of those "stone hearts" that suffer and make the other beings created (like them) suffer with their actions From god, to The point of not allowing participation in the inheritance of Christ in any believer.

We hope that the faith, love and courage that these young LGBTQIA+ pilgrims have shown during this week remain in the eyes, minds and hearts of the many participants who have expressed their interest, their support, their respect and their love for the claim of our right to be recognized as equally valid believers.

"In the Church there is a place for everyone "," Don't be afraid "...

Thanks, pope Francis, for these words publicly pronounced, who console us and strengthen our mission. with The precise intention that the wind does not take away these words, We strongly ask them to continue the path of love, tolerance and inclusion that has started from the first moments of your guide from the whole Catholic church.

As far as possible, we encourage it to translate these wonderful purely Christian ideals into concrete gestures. Gestures that, black on black, help the words to become reality, changing the shapes, ways and doctrines of our beloved church, to make it a more welcoming and less suffocating mother.

We as a Christian LGBTQia community who participated in the GMG Lisbon 2023 - and all the others who are widespread for the world - are at his disposal and at his side to proceed towards this goal.

Original text: A experiêência na Jmj Lisboa 2023