Providence Journal Letter to the Editor Published on June 7, 2019

Welcoming, affirming people
oppose bishop’s opinions
 
In a June 3 news story, Catholic
Bishop Thomas Tobin stated
that he “did not intend to offend
members of the LGBTQ community”
with comments to Catholic
families about not attending
upcoming Pride events.
As Catholics and proud parents
of a transgender daughter,
we would like to inform Bishop
Tobin that his remarks not only
offended members of the LGBTQ
community, but also their parents,
grandparents, siblings,
aunts, uncles, cousins and other
relatives. He also offended the
friends, neighbors, co-workers,
employers and general allies of
the LGBTQ community.
The fact is everyone may have
someone in their family who is
gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender;
or, you know someone
who is. In Rhode Island, the most
Catholic state in the nation, we
take pride in the fact that we are
a welcoming and affirming state
for the LGBTQ community where
they can safely come to live, play,
work and thrive.
Ron and Sandra Richard
Coventry
 
The writers are current and past
presidents of PFLAG (which
originally stood for Parents and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Greater Providence.