LGBTQ+ Catholics -
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors
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The Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors offer a friendly and safe place, through the ONE IN LOVE LGBTQ+ Ministry, for Ascension and Saint Edmund Parish, Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy and Saint Giles Parish and the Saint Giles Family Mass Community LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and friends to share through deep listening circles. We offer an accepting and affirming space to practice our faith as members of the LGBTQ+ community and feel connection without denying who we are.
ONE IN LOVE LGBTQ+ Ministry meets on the second Saturday of each month (July 11, 2026) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at St. Giles Parish Center located at 1025 Columbian Avenue in Oak Park - Please join us for a safe and respectful conversation. You are free to share your story, resources or whatever is in your heart that day, or just listen to others with an open heart.
If you have questions, please contact Kathie Nash at [email protected].
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The Word Goes Out - New Ways Ministry Podcast
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The Word Goes Out, a podcast from New Ways Ministry, brings our weekly scripture reflections to life. You will hear directly from LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies as they share their own stories and insights on the Sunday readings, offering a perspective deeply rooted in the truth of lived experience. Each week, episodes will be published Thursday morning so you can carry them with you as you prepare for the upcoming weekend’s scripture readings. Listen this podcast on your favorite platform:
> Listen on Spotify
> Watch on YouTube
> Listen on their Website
At New Ways Ministry, they believe that LGBTQ+ Catholics bring unique spiritual gifts to the world and the Church: the courage to be truth-tellers, a deep sensitivity to those on the margins, and the vital reminder that we are all wonderfully made. We hope these episodes will serve as an invitation to find God’s word within the reality of our own lives.
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LGBTQ+ Resource Guide - Updated January 2026
WEBSITES
- aglochicago.org - Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach Chicago
- dignityusa.org and dignity-chicago.org - LGBTQ+ Catholic news and educational opportunities
- FortunateFamilies.com - Catholic friends and allies ministry
- gerberhart.org - Gerber/Hart library and archives of Midwest LGBTQ+ materials
- NewWaysministry.org - Educates and advocates LGBTQ+ Catholics
- lgbtmap.org - Nondiscrimination Laws by State
- outreach.faith - LGBTQ+ Catholic resources, news and weekly gospel reflections
- opalga.org - Oak Park Area Gay and Lesbian Association+
- pflagoakpark.org - Parents, friends LGBTQ+ meet on the 4th Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM - First United Church, Oak Park
BOOKS
- “A Home for All” by Francis DeBernard and Robert Shrine - A Catholic call for LGBTQ Non-Discrimination
- “Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family” by Amis Ellis Nutt
- “Building a Bridge” by James Martin, S.J. - How the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ Community can enter a relationship
- “Embracing Queer Family” by Nia Chiaramonte and Katie Chiaramonte
- “Love Lives Here” by Amanda Jette Fox
- “New Ways and Next Steps” by Francis DeBernardo - Developing Parish LGBTQ+ Ministry
- “The Savvy Ally” by Jeannie Gainsburg - A guide for becoming a LGBTQ+ Advocate.
- “Transgender and Non-binary Teen” by Stephanie Brill and Lisa Kenny
TED TALK - PODCAST - YOUTUBE
- “How to Talk (and listen) to Transgender People” by Jackson Bird - TED Talk - WATCH NOW
- “Is Anatomy Destiny?” by Alice Dreger - TED Talk - WATCH NOW
- “The Science of Being Transgender” - Podcast - WATCH NOW
- “The Weird History of the Sex Chromosomes” by Molly Webster - TED Talk - WATCH NOW
- “Time to Blossom: Accepting My Transgender Daughter” by Elizabeth August - TED Talk - WATCH NOW
- “What does the Bible say about Homosexuality?” by A.J. Levine - YouTube - WATCH NOW
MOVIES - FILMS
- “National Geographic’s Gender Revolution” - Available on Amazon Prime for a fee
- “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture” - What if the Word “homosexual” was never meant to be in the Bible? - Amazon Prime for a fee
- “The Dads” - Netflix short documentary
- “Trevor” - Short film inspiring The Trevor Project - Just Google it
- “Will and Harper” - Will Ferrell’s good friend Harper comes out as a transwoman - They take a road trip - Netflix
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