Age | 30
Hometown | Chantilly, VA
Current City | Washington, D.C.
Catholic Education | Paul VI Catholic High School, Boston College
Occupation | Social Work
Identify As | Straight Woman

“As a straight woman, it matters to me that the Church is accepting of LGBT people because I have lesbian, gay, and bisexual friends who are my family.” 

Katie Chiarantona discusses why she struggles with the Church’s stance on LGBT people as a straight Catholic woman.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 64
Hometown | Everette, WA
Current City | Washington, D.C.
Occupation | Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives
Identify As | Straight Man

“What is God doing with this community who longs to be fully participating in the sacramental life of our Church?” 

Father Patrick J. Conroy discusses sexuality and faith and recognizes that LGBT people are gifts to the Church.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 24
Hometown | Milwaukee, WI
Current City | San Diego, CA
Catholic Education | University of Notre Dame
Occupation | Architect
Identify As | Gay Man

“My friend and I talked to a couple of priests and their response was, 'If the Church isn't going to support your family then go find another Christian Church that supports you.'” 

Nana Fotsch and her four gay grandchildren gather to discuss coming out stories, reconciling sexuality and faith, and experience attending Catholic schools.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 83
Hometown | Glenview, IL
Current City | Elm Grove, WI
Occupation | Mother to 8 children; Nana to 30 grandchildren
Identify As | Straight Woman

“The song that we sing in Church, hymn, All Are Welcome In This Place, do we really mean that? Or is it just pretty words?” 

Nana Fotsch and her four gay grandchildren gather to discuss coming out stories, reconciling sexuality and faith, and experience attending Catholic schools.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 32
Hometown | Mill Valley, California
Current City | New York, NY
Occupation | Writer, Performer
Identify As | Hetero-Flexible

“Having LGBT people in the Church is a gift because it keeps it alive. It keeps it moving forward.” 

Hilary Howes, Celestine Howes and Alithea Howes share their story, discuss Hilary's transition and reflect on their Catholic faith. TRANSCRIPT

Age | 62
Hometown | Honolulu, Hawaii
Current City | Greenbelt, MD
Occupation | Costume Designer
Identify As | Straight Woman

“Jesus reached out constantly to the under layers of society. To people that other people hated. He constantly went to them.” 

Hilary Howes, Celestine Howes and Alithea Howes share their story, discuss Hilary's transition and reflect on their Catholic faith. TRANSCRIPT

Age | 26
Hometown | Eagle Pass, Texas
Current City | New York, NY
Occupation | Radio Anchor & Producer
Identify As | Gay Man

“When I go to Church I don’t see myself as a gay person, I just see myself as a Catholic.” 

Xorje Olivares shares struggles of living out his identity; equal parts being Catholic, gay and Latino.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 57
Hometown | Whitehall, NY
Current City | Whitehall, NY
Occupation | Small Business Owner
Identify As | Straight Woman

“I've always loved Matthew unconditionally and I don't care whether he's pink with white polka dots, I'm going to love him no matter what.” 

The Putorti family shares why it is so important for families to be accepting and loving of their children regardless of sexuality or gender identity.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 61
Hometown | Whitehall, NY
Current City | Whitehall, NY
Occupation | Small Business Owner
Identify As | Straight Man

“My biggest concern with Matthew being gay is our religion and if he said to me, Dad I have to leave the Catholic Church because they don't accept me, I would say Matthew I understand completely.” 

The Putorti family shares why it is so important for families to be accepting and loving of their children regardless of sexuality or gender identity.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 75
Hometown | West Haven, CT
Current City | New York, NY
Occupation | Teacher
Identify As | Gay Man

“It’s just not a matter of accepting us, you have to, or tolerate us, you have to encourage us to be who we are. We are God’s creation. And to deny that is to deny that He knows what the hell he’s doing.” 

Mike Roper shares his personal story and discusses how he reconciled his faith with his sexuality.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 36
Hometown | Washington, D.C.
Current City | Washington, D.C.
Occupation | Writer
Identify As | Gay Woman

“We are in the pews; we are people who are striving to love God and to live within our Churches.” 

Eve Tushnet shares her understanding of sexuality and faith and provides suggestions on how the Church can better provide pastoral care to LGBT people.   TRANSCRIPT

Age | 36
Hometown | Miami, FL
Current City | New York, NY
Catholic Education | Christopher Columbus High School
Occupation | Head of Global Agency Business Development
Identify As | Gay Man

“See our love. See our normality.” 

Matt & Rick Vidal discuss their coming out story, 
relationship, marriage and faith. TRANSCRIPT

Age | 23
Hometown | Phoenix, AZ
Current City | Newark, NJ
Occupation | Health Counselor
Identify As | Transgender Man

“We need to be able to see God in every person and to look at other people and even if we don't understand why they are, who they are, to say this is who you are and I'm going to love you all the same.” 

Mateo Williamson discusses transition, spiritual journey, and work at LGBT homeless youth shelter.   TRANSCRIPT