The Vatican has released a new document titled 'Dignitas Infinita' on human dignity, which includes sections about gender identity, gender transitions, and other LGBTQ+ issues. The document, approved by Pope Francis on March 25, 2024, updates the Church's teachings on human rights. It condemns gender theory, sex change, and digital violence while emphasizing the equal dignity of all people and condemning discrimination and violence against homosexual persons. However, LGBTQ+ activists and organizations have criticized the document for failing to address their concerns and failing to apply the principle of human dignity to gender-diverse people [891f90e9] [387373fd] [b14a0e03].
Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry, a Catholic LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has criticized the document for relying on outdated theology of gender essentialism and failing to acknowledge the realities of transgender and nonbinary people's lives. DeBernardo argues that gender identity is not a choice but a discovery of who God created each person to be. He accuses the Vatican of supporting ideas that lead to harm to LGBTQ+ people and calls on church officials to better apply Catholic social teaching to gender and sexual identities. The document is seen as a missed opportunity to bridge the gap between the LGBTQ+ community and the Catholic Church.
In contrast, St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Hospital Camarillo, owned by Dignity Health, have been recognized for their care of LGBTQ+ patients. The hospitals have been named "High Performers" in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) for their equitable and inclusive treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and staff. This is the second consecutive time the hospitals have received this recognition [7461d221].
The index evaluates medical facilities based on five central pillars: non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, patient and community engagement, and responsible citizenship. The hospitals made changes to their LGBTQ+ policies and practices, including expanded training for staff and clinicians, updated patient forms and IT processes to capture preferred pronouns and solicit feedback from LGBTQ+ patients, and clarified wording in employee benefits to be explicitly inclusive of LGBTQ+ employees. In the latest index, 1,065 healthcare facilities participated, with 384 receiving a top score of 100 and earning the designation "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader." Another 43% reached High Performer status. The Ventura County hospitals owned by Dignity Health scored 95, losing 5 points in the responsible citizenship category. The Healthcare Equality Index deducts 5 points if a facility has certain policies that may lead to discriminatory treatment conflicting with their non-discrimination policy. Facilities may have 25 points deducted if they have a large-scale official or public anti-LGBTQ blemish on their recent records [7461d221].
St. John's Hospitals Interim President and CEO Patrick Caster expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the hospitals' commitment to providing equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all members of the community, ensuring LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome and safe. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation President Kelley Robinson commended hospitals like St. John's for participating in the voluntary survey and offering fully inclusive services, especially as anti-LGBTQ+ extremists seek to limit healthcare access. The foundation also advocated for the implementation of a section of the Affordable Care Act that provides clear protections based on sexual orientation and sex characteristics [7461d221].
The Vatican's document on human dignity and LGBTQ+ issues is seen as a reflection of the Catholic Church's stance, which is aligned with the disapproval of gender transition. However, the document has faced criticism from LGBTQ+ activists and organizations for not addressing their concerns and failing to apply the principle of human dignity to gender-diverse people. The document is seen as a missed opportunity to bridge the gap between the LGBTQ+ community and the Catholic Church [891f90e9] [387373fd] [b14a0e03].