Gay Activist Group Calls For End To Policies That Punish Children Of LGBT Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, called on Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to stop the discriminatory practices of denying admission or expelling children from Catholic schools nationwide simply because their parents are LGBT. On Saturday, HRC asked its members to email Cardinal George and urge him to end this unjust policy of targeting our families.

A Catholic school in Boston recently rescinded a third-grader’s admission solely because his parents are lesbians. In another case, a Catholic school in Colorado expelled two preschoolers, also for having lesbian parents. And while the Boston Diocese is working with the parents to find an alternative school, the simple fact is that there should be one standard nondiscrimination policy that applies to all Catholic schools.

“While discrimination is always wrong, targeting our children is reprehensible.” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Cardinal Francis George should take the bold step of ending these practices and give children of LGBT families the chance to learn in all Catholic schools.”

The U.S. Constitution protects the right of religious institutions to make decisions based on their faith traditions. That doesn’t mean this kind of discrimination has to happen. HRC calls on Cardinal George to become personally involved and end these unjust practices.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 United States