While 57% of Catholics now support the freedom to marry and many Catholic leaders, including Pope Francis, have made affirming statements about LGBT people, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone is planning to march alongside some of the most hateful anti-LGBT extremists in the nation at the National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM) rally in Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2014.

NOM has falsely linked being LGBT with pedophilia and incest.

Their event co-sponsor, the Family Research Council, recently blamed the growing acceptance of marriage equality for the Isla Vista mass shootings in Santa Barbara, CA. This is a far cry from the many statements from Catholic leaders defending the dignity of all LGBT people, especially the recent words of Pope Francis: “If someone is gay, who searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

Join us in urging Archbishop Cordileone, who also serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, to cancel his participation in NOM’s march and instead engage in a respectful dialogue with the LGBT community. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that lesbian and gay people “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”

The speakers at NOM’s “March for Marriage” represent the antithesis of respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

While we respect the freedom of religion, it is critical that all people of good will speak out against the dehumanizing and harmful rhetoric of the march’s sponsors and featured speakers.

Please join us and the many elected officials, faith leaders, and non-profit organizations who are urging the Archbishop to cancel his planned participation at the march.

In solidarity,

James Rowe, Director, Believe Out Loud

Urge Archbishop Cordileone not to participate in anti-LGBT march

Photo via flickr user American Life League