Petition Launched: Ask America’s Highest Profile Cardinal to Support LGBT Youth

Joseph Amodeo, who last week resigned from Catholic Charities after seeing Cardinal Dolan's arrogant and dismissive letter to Carl Siciliano, has launched a petition asked Dolan to meet with some of NYC's homeless LGBT youth.

It's wrong that 30-40% of homeless youth are LGBT. We're asking Cardinal Dolan to meet with homeless LGBT youth, hear their stories, and dialogue with them. A little over eight years ago, I came out as a gay man to my family and friends and continued to practice my faith as a Roman Catholic. I came to witness the overwhelming support that so many people have for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Despite support for LGBT people from so many Catholics today, I resigned from the Executive Committee of the Junior Board of Catholic Charities two weeks ago. [snip]

With Vatican insiders and international media outlets speculating that Cardinal Dolan could become the first Pope from America, join me today in calling on Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese of New York to meet with leaders from the LGBT community and homeless LGBT youth. Ask Cardinal Dolan to hear their stories, and collaborate in responding to the epidemic of LGBT youth homelessness. The petition will be delivered to Cardinal Dolan's office on the Feast of the Ascension, Thursday, May 17, 2012 to celebrate the rising support for LGBT people on a day when the Church celebrates Jesus Christ's love for all of us.

Read the full petition.