FAQ & Resources

Dignity Philadelphia is a chapter of DignityUSA, the oldest and largest nation­al lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics, our families, and our friends. Dignity Philadelphia is a caring, supportive community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Catholics, our families and friends that serves the Greater Philadelphia area.

DignityUSA is the oldest and largest nation­al lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics, our families, and our friends. Begun in 1969 in San Diego under the leadership of Fr. Patrick Nidorf, OSA, first as a counseling group and then a support group in Los Angeles, DignityUSA has been a national organization since 1973. As an independent not-for-profit group, it has chapters located throughout the United States. In local chapters, we worship openly with other LGBT and supportive Catholics, socialize, share personal and spiritual concerns, and work together on educational and justice issues. Members gather at periodic regional meetings and biennial national conventions. On a nationwide basis and through its local chapters, DignityUSA - advocates for change in the Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality; - provides educational materials, speakers, and other resources to Catholic parishes, gay ministries, and other interested groups; - maintains ongoing dialogue with Catholic bishops and other Church leaders; - represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics in the media; - presents positive testimony from a Catholic perspective on civil rights legislation; - publishes a quarterly journal and monthly newsletter; - is a founding member of Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), a network of diverse groups seeking change within the Church; - networks internationally with LGBT Catholic groups, assisting in the development of new groups in countries such as South Africa, Poland, and Colombia; - supports an AIDS ministry; - and offers many other services.

Dignity Philadelphia is once again holding in-person services. To help protect the health and safety of our Dignity Community and all mass attendees, Dignity is following the guidance of the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health and has instituted the following policies: As of June 19, 2022, masks are optional to wear during mass. If you do not have a mask but would like one, Dignity Philadelphia will have masks available. Eucharist will only be distributed onto extended flat palms. We will not be providing consecrated wine or juice. There will be no food at the post-mass social gathering. There will be no procession of gifts, no passing the collection plate, and no hand-shaking or physical touch during the sign of peace. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a message via the Contact page of the website or email us at Hello@DignityPhila.org. From April 2020 - July 2021, Dignity Philadelphia services were held online due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. We were able to connect with members of the Dignity Philadelphia near and far while online and will be exploring ways to stay connected with those who are not able or do not feel comfortable attending Dignity Philadelphia in-person services.

Yes! Anyone can join a Dignity Philadelphia service.

Dignity Philadelphia services take place at: The Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany 330 S 13th Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Street Level

You can become a Dignity Philadelphia member by donating online or by downloading and filling out our membership form and mailing it in. For more information, please visit the 'Membership' page of our website.

Individual annual dues: Dignity Philadelphia only $20 OR combined with Dignity USA membership for $60. Couple’s annual dues: Dignity Philadelphia only $35 OR combined with Dignity USA membership for $155. Scholarships are available for Dignity Philadelphia and Dignity USA memberships. Please contact us to learn more.

Congratulations on your impending wedding! Dignity Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ+ Catholic community. Though we hold weekly Masses, we do not have one single priest who leads services. Rather, we have a number of clergy people who say Mass on a rotating schedule. Though members of Dignity Philadelphia have received blessings from Priests during services, we do not hold formal weddings. These blessings are normally given to current members of Dignity Philadelphia who have attended at least two services. If you would like more information about becoming a member of Dignity Philadelphia, please see the membership page of our website. Dignity Philadelphia can provide recommendations of individuals who can perform marriages outside of regular services. Please fill out the Contact Us form on our website with the subject line ‘Marriage Officiants’ to receive their contact information. Dignity Philadelphia services are held on the ground level at the Church of Saint Luke & The Epiphany (330 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107). Dignity Philadelphia rents this space from St. Luke’s and has no authority to use space elsewhere in the church outside of our regularly scheduled mass times. If you would like to contact someone at St. Luke's about getting married in their sanctuary space, you can contact them via their website www.slatechurch.org/contact or check out their staff page www.slatechurch.org/clergy-staff.