"I think the church tries to be open to all Catholics who are accepting of the church's teachings," Walsh said. "It's a difficult point for homosexual Catholics that the church condemns homosexual activity." ... Some wonder why homosexuals would stick with the church. Gay Catholics say their faith is a piece of their identity. "It isn't an option for me," said Tom Streeper another member of Dignity in Philadelphia. "That's the way I was raised and it's part of who I am."Thanks for posting this article -- it points out just how deep the misunderstanding is concerning Catholicism and homosexuality.
Dignity/USA, which is described in the article as being "banned from meeting in Philadelphia churches," is an outlaw group of Catholics who are practicing homosexuals and who consider being "gay" a gift from God. Dignity has, in fact, been banned by the Vatican from meeting in any Catholic Church.
There is, however, a ministry to Catholics with same-sex attractions called Courage, which is endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family. They practice chastity (that is, they do not act out their sexual disorders). In fact, they don't even call themselves "gay."
The Church continues to teach that homosexual acts are always gravely sinful. Whether AP knows it or not, it is shilling for the banned group "Dignity" at the expense of "Courage." People like Tom Streeper, quoted above, are acting contrary to Church teaching when they encourage Catholics to submit, embrace and act out their homosexual temptations. They are merely cultural catholics, not practicing Catholics.