Key Schools In Worcester Diocese Decline New Gender, LGBTQ+ Policies
McManus’ new policies may directly harm young people in Catholic schools, said Joshua Croke, president of the Worcester LGBTQ+ youth nonprofit Love Your Labels. Croke highlighted that school-age queer and trans people have higher rates of suicide than their peers due to mistreatment by mainstream society.
"If the Catholic Church fails to prioritize preserving life, affirming our youth, and celebrating their authentic identities, they're failing to create safe environments for learning and contributing to the violence we face daily as LGBTQ+ people," Croke said. "Our community, especially practicing Catholics who know these policies are harmful, needs to speak up and demand action against ignorance and bigotry."
The wording of McManus' new policy is an example of punishing people for being queer and trans, Croke said. The policy says any "expression of gender, sexual identity, or sexuality" that causes disruption in school could result in expulsion, language Croke said foments "an atmosphere of fear, submission, and authoritarianism."
