Paraguay: Married gay activist’s meeting with Pope was ‘very productive’

In a historic first, a married gay activist met with Pope Francis on Saturday — and walked away with a sense that the pope genuinely believes “dignity is for everyone.”  Simón Cazal, executive director of Paraguay LGBT group SomosGay, was among a delegation of 1,600 Paraguayan civil society leaders and members who met with the Holy See in Asunción.

 Although the pope did not directly address LGBT issues during his speech, Cazal told the Blade the pontiff “did mention others in which they are included.” “The pope’s speech was very productive,” Cazal added. “The local church insisted on talking about the family and other conservative issues… [But] he distanced himself from this discourse and highlighted diversity in its place.”   

The Paraguayan Episcopal Conference last month invited Cazal and other LGBT rights advocates to attend the meeting, though Cazal was the only one to accept the invitation.  Read More