"Listening Parents" are Catholic parents of a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender daughter or son who have graciously volunteered to listen to and share their personal experience with other parents. While the Listening Parents do not act as representatives of Fortunate Families, we know them as loving parents. If you contact a Listening Parent by e-mail, please be sure to put "Listening Parents" or "Fortunate Families" on the subject line, as unidentified e-mails may be discarded as junk mail. We welcome any feedback you care to provide on your experience of contacting a Listening Parent.
| CA/Diamond Bar (Los
Angeles) |
91765 |
Mother of gay son |
Naughton, Jenny |
jnaughton04@gmail.com or 909-896-8362. Involved in
“Always Our
Children” parish-based support group for parents of gay and lesbian Catholics. |
| CA/Eureka (Santa Rosa) |
95501 |
Mother of gay son |
Tillinghast, Kathleen |
mater@mac.com or 707-442-0443. |
| CA/Fullerton (Orange) |
92831 |
Mother of gay son |
Hand, Doris |
storyhand@sbcglobal.net
or 714-871-4815. Member of Koinonia, diocesan ministry to the
Catholic gay community. Member of PFLAG Speakers Bureau. Wrote
“What
keeps you in the Church?” |
| CA/Moreno Valley (San
Bernardino) |
92553 |
Mother of gay son |
Madrid, Bette |
damionsmom@msn.com or 951-653-9713. Masters in marriage and
family therapy. Member of Bishop’s
Commission on Ministry to Families of Gay and Lesbian Catholics,
and facilitator of parents support group. |
| CA/Palo Alto (San Jose) |
94303 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter |
Idzik, Ann |
idzika@gmail.com of 650-493-7350. Retired educator. |
| CA/Pleasanton (Oakland) |
94566 |
Father of lesbian
daughter |
Harmuth, Michael |
pflagdad_98@yahoo.com or 925-426-8848. Former president and
office director of
Catholic
Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministry (CALGM).
Diocesan ministry and PFLAG experience. |
| CA/Rocklin (Sacramento) |
95677 |
Mother of gay son |
Kolb, Susan |
susanmarie_kolb@yahoo.com or 916-425-0013.
Active in PFLAG. Wrote
“My many blessings …” |
| CA/Sacramento
(Sacramento) |
95816 |
Mother of lesbian
daughters |
Skonieczny, Kay |
kays@stfrancisparish.com or 916-443-8084 x111. Has two lesbian
daughters. Parish pastoral minister. Wrote
“Grace and gratitude abound where love and forgiveness live.” |
| CA/San Jose (San Jose) |
95122 |
Parents of gay son |
Johnson, Helen & Ted |
tjhj12@sbcglobal.net or 408-210-5518 (Ted) or 408-258-8416
(Helen).
Involved in diocesan ministry. PFLAG experience. Helen has
HIV/AIDS caregiver experience. |
| Canada/BC/Vancouver
(Vancouver) |
V3M 1X5 |
Mother of gay son |
Murray, Marnie |
marvmarn@hotmail.com or 604-525-5123. Teacher. |
| Canada/NS/Wolfville
(Halifax) |
B4P 2N8 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Walsh, Tom & Duarte,
Julia |
thomas.tomas@gmail.com and
julia.duarte@gmail.com or 902-542-4031. Tom is bilingual in
English and Spanish; Julia prefers Spanish. Both experienced in
parish LGBT ministry. |
| Canada/ON/Ajax
(Toronto) |
L1T 3K5 |
Parents of gay son &
lesbian daughter |
Hyland, Mike & Mary |
mikehyland@rogers.com or 905-686-7106. Mike is parish RCIA
coordinator. Mary is step-mother. |
| CO/Lakewood (Denver) |
80232 |
Mother of trans m>f
daughter |
Gallagher, Eleanor |
egallagher8@gmail.com or 303-986-7510. |
| CO/Thornton (Denver) |
80035 |
Father of lesbian
daughter |
McDonough, Robert |
morejam@myway.com or 303-920-4144. Co-founder of group working
with LGBT community and parents to make parish more welcoming. |
| CT/Milford (Hartford) |
06460 |
Mother of gay son |
Mohring, Mary-Ellen |
maryellenmohring@yahoo.com or 203-874-7365. Involved in local
PFLAG chapters. |
| FL/Palm Coast (St.
Augustine) |
32137 |
Parents of gay son |
Jacobs, Karyn & Jim |
letgoe2@aol.com
(Karyn) or
letgoa52@aol.com (Jim) or 386-503-1710 (Karyn) or 386-793-7595
(Jim). 12-step support group experience. |
| GA/Lilburn (Atlanta) |
30047 |
Mother of gay son |
Farrell, Kathy |
kfarrell4@att.net or
770-564-0532. Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia
Seminary. Listed in “Friends for the Journey: Spiritual Directors of
Middle and North Georgia.” |
| HI/Honolulu (Honolulu) |
96186 |
Mother of gay son |
Roth, Susie |
hi2mom@aol.com
or 808-735-1631. Has presented educational sessions on sexual
orientation to school faculties, students, and parishes.
Advocated at state capitol. |
| IA/Davenport
(Davenport) |
52807 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter & gay son |
Willaert, Andrea |
killelea@aol.com or 563-359-6133. Masters in Pastoral Studies
with an integrated project/thesis on Homosexuality and Catholic
Church Teaching. Spiritual Director. |
| ID/Boise (Boise) |
83702 |
Parents of gay son |
Curtis, Don & Susan |
opadlc@cableone.net or 208-344-3434. Both retired and active in
Human Rights organizations. Susan is an RN. Volunteer parish
ministers. |
| ID/Boise (Boise) |
83706 |
Mother of gay son &
lesbian daughter |
Austin-Calkins, Genie |
genieac@hotmail.com or 208-331-7941. |
| IL/Byron (Rockford) |
61010 |
Mother of gay son |
Black, Patricia |
Trish.black@hotmail.com or 815-234-4615. |
| IL/Chicago (Chicago) |
60626 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Bowers, Mary Jo & Norm |
mjb@maryjobowers.com or 773-274-1981. Parish ministers. Mary Jo
is a social worker. Norm is a psychologist. |
| IL/Harvard (Rockford) |
60033 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Marian, Barbara &
Powers, Jerry |
natvproj@owc.net or 815-943-5504. Active in PFLAG. |
| IN/South Bend (Ft.
Wayne-South Bend) |
46614 |
Parents of gay son &
lesbian daughter |
Garascia, Beth & Tony |
agarascia@sbcglobal.net (Tony) or
bgarascia@sbcglobal.net (Beth) or 574-287-0904. Tony worked for
the RC Church in different capacities for 29 years and is now a
counselor. Beth is chair of a GLBT issue team for the Marianist
Social Justice Collaborative. Both have PFLAG experience. |
| IN/South Bend (Ft.
Wayne-South Bend) |
46637 |
Parents of gay son |
Mascotte, Hank & Nancy |
mascotte@comcast.net or 574-277-2684. Hank has a lesbian sister.
Nancy was a therapist at Saint Mary's College and Notre Dame, and Hank was a Catholic priest. Both facilitate the local PFLAG chapter and are members of the Marianist GLBT outreach team. |
| MA/Arlington, (Boston) |
02476 |
Mother of gay son |
Kean, Patty |
pkean@curry.edu.
Educational therapist working with students in higher education.
Wrote
“An insight into the Blessed Mother” |
| MA/Needham (Boston) |
02492 |
Parents of gay son |
Geishecker, Brenda &
Jack |
krewgle@gmail.com or
781-444-4884.
Wrote 2008 open letter to U.S. bishops (and collected other
signatures) protesting USCCB and K of C financial support for
California Proposition 8. |
| MA/Quincy (Boston) |
02169 |
Parents of trans f>m
son |
Garber, Ken & Marcia |
mag1022rn@comcast.net or 617-472-5189. Marcia is RN. Dignity
Boston members, with PFLAG experience. Both involved in
trans-activism. |
| MA/W. Springfield
(Springfield) |
01089 |
Parents of gay son |
Franczyk, Ann & Chet |
annrun76@aol.com (Ann) or
chesterff@aol.com (Chet). 413-736-6803. Co-founders of Always
Our Children in W. Springfield, MA. Ann is a Fortunate Families
board member, and a nurse practitioner. Chet is a pediatrician. They
wrote:
“Always Our Children: Hope amongst the mixed messages”. Ann
wrote:
“Educating Educators”. |
| MA/Westborough
(Worcester) |
01581 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter |
Malone, Sue |
mathafter@yahoo.com or 508-366-2050 or 508-330-4558 (cell). |
| MA/Westborough
(Worcester) |
01581 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter |
McCann, Suzanne |
508-366-8727 or
mccann.sue@gmail.com (checks weekly). |
| MD/Annapolis
(Baltimore) |
21401 |
Mother of gay son |
Pluecker, Claire |
cpluecker@gmail.com or
410-295-2900 or 240-606-8549 (cell). Has experience with Catholic
LGBT and parents ministry groups. |
| MD/Cambridge
(Wilmington) |
21613 |
Parents of gay son |
Nugent, Jenny & Pat |
jennynuge@msn.com or 410-228-8382. Both active with parish
social justice committee, parish council and RCIA. |
| MD/Gaithersburg
(Washington) |
20878 |
Parents of gay son |
Brady, Robert & Sharon |
r.f.b@rcn.com
or 301-840-9496. Active in parish-based
“Catholic Ministry with Gay and Lesbian Persons”. Bob has an MA
in spirituality and pastoral care, and is a Stephen Ministry leader. |
| MD/Glen Arm (Baltimore) |
21057 |
Mother of gay son |
Durkin, Erma |
ermdu@comcast.net or 410-592-8453. Many years in Catholic
religious education. Active in parish ministry and PFLAG. |
| MI/Beverly Hills
(Detroit) |
48025 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Black, Jerry & Mary |
sgbgolfer@aol.com or 248-644-4479. Members of Always Our
Children, a panel of
parents and LGBT children that tell their stories in churches.
Active in PFLAG. Mary wrote
“A
Letter from Meg” and narrated
“Knowing Makes
the Difference” (an audio file). |
| MI/Farmington Hills
(Detroit) |
48331 |
Parents of gay sons |
Nelson, Linda Karle &
Tom |
tajnelson@earthlink.net.
lindakarle@earthlink.net 248-489-1505. Linda is Vice-President,
Fortunate Families and Tom is a board member. Members of Always Our
Children, a panel of
parents and LGBT children that tell their stories in churches.
Involved in PFLAG. Tom wrote:
“God gave me a gay son” for Notre Dame Magazine;
“Stories make a difference: An activist is born”;
“An
activist?”; and narrated
“Father Knows Best—Eventually” (audio file). |
| MI/Gaylord (Gaylord) |
49735 |
Mother of gay son |
Cotant, Jan |
jancotant@gmail.com or 231-546-3421 or 989-858-1267 (cell). |
| MN/Clearwater (St.
Cloud) |
55320 |
Mother of gay son |
Ohmann, Myrna |
rjmmo320@yahoo.com or 320-223-1008 (cell). Fortunate Families
board member. Wrote
“Minneapolis Vigil”. |
| MO/Kansas City (Kansas
City) |
64113 |
Mother of gay son |
McGannon, Jessica |
pjpbk@aol.com
or 816-523-8404 or 913-461-4541 (cell). |
| NC/Raleigh (Raleigh) |
27613 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter |
Whitehouse, Gladys |
gladys.whitehouse@stfrancisraleigh.org. Involved with
parish-based support group. |
| NC/Raleigh (Raleigh) |
27615 |
Father of gay son |
Pietrus, Joe |
jpietrus@nc.rr.com or 919-609-8425. Co-founder and former
coordinator of Always Our Children support group, Cathedral of St.
Matthew, Washington DC. |
| NE/Omaha (Omaha) |
68130 |
Father of gay son |
Furlong, Jerry |
furlong@cox.net.
402-895-6386. Fortunate Families board member. Member of local area
ministry,
“Caring Catholic Families” and
parish ministry. Created
“Let’s Talk About Homosexuality” — educational series. Wrote
“GLAAD series suggests ways to more effectively discuss issues of
LGBT justice with undecided Americans” |
| NJ/Pequannock
(Paterson) |
07440 |
Parents of gay son |
Restaino, Carmen &
Cheryl |
c_restaino@yahoo.com (Carmen) or
Carsjm1@yahoo.com (Cheryl) or
973-633-6720. Carmen is a Roman
Catholic permanent deacon. Cheryl is a retired teacher, and is
active in PFLAG with experience in leading beginner’s meetings.
Cheryl wrote
“Being a Listening Parent”. |
| NY/Fairport (Rochester) |
14450 |
Mother of lesbian
daughters |
Newman, Shirley |
Drnqball@aol.com or 585-425-9347. Mother of 2 lesbian daughters.
Stephen minister and teaching assistant experience. Wrote
“Speaking up”. |
| NY/Floral Park
(Brooklyn) |
11004 |
Parents of gay son |
Butvick, Bill & Kathryn |
butvietis@aol.com or
kbutvick@aol.com or 347-528-7165 (Bill) or 917-568-8687
(Kathryn). Kathryn is an RN with Ph.D. in Psychology. |
| NY/Rochester
(Rochester) |
14620 |
Parents of gay son |
Lopata, Casey & Mary
Ellen |
fortunatefamilie@aol.com. 585-698-6100. Co-founders and board
members of Fortunate Families—Mary Ellen is President. Casey has
MDiv. Mary Ellen has MS in Liberal Arts with focus on homosexuality
and the family. Together wrote
“Dear
Pope …” Casey wrote:
“Can my son
be Gay and Catholic”;
“Moral Values”;
“Not
Master Builders”; and
“The sin of heterosexism?”. Mary Ellen wrote
“God's Love Revealed: reflections on being a Catholic Mother”. |
| NY/Rochester
(Rochester) |
14623 |
Father of trans m>f |
Pickett, Bill |
bill@williampickett.com. 585-442-3866. Advisor to Fortunate
Families and webmaster. Wrote:
“A Parent’s Perspective: Transsexual Identity and Wholeness” |
| NY/Troy (Albany) |
12180 |
Mother of gay son |
de Seve, Geri |
michaeladk@gmail.com or 518-272-4637 or 518-421-4723 (cell). |
| NY/Weedsport
(Rochester) |
13166 |
Parents of gay sons |
Cichello, Eileen & Sam |
ecichello@gmail.com or 315-834-9725. Have 2 gay sons. |
| OH/Dayton (Cincinnati) |
45429 |
Mother of gay son |
Wilger, Ann |
annwilger@sbcglobal.net or 937-299-0534. Involved in Dignity. |
| OH/Gates Mills
(Cleveland) |
44040 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Hoenigman, Ann & Ed |
annedhoenigman@aol.com
or 440-449-1848. Active in parish-based parent support group. Ann
wrote
“Parents of homosexuals speak in Catholic Schools in Cleveland
Diocese”. Ed wrote
“Emmaus Retreat presentation”. |
| OR/Mt. Angel (Portland) |
97362 |
Parents of lesbian
daughters (twins) |
Balog, Florence & Steve |
sandfbalog@mtangel.net. 503-845-7850.
Co-founders of Welcoming the Whole Family in St. Andrew’s Parish,
Portland, OR. Florence wrote
“My twin lesbian daughters”. Also founded and facilitated a
parents support group in the archdiocese. Steve wrote:
“The
light has been passed” ;
“A
story of trust”;
“A
Reality Check”;
“Assumptions”;
“Being called out, again”; and
“A
bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not
snuff out … (Isaiah 42:3)”. |
| PA/Wynnewood
(Philadelphia) |
19096 |
Mother of gay son |
Cassidy, Susanne |
smcnarb@comcast.net or 610-649-0698. PFLAG experience. |
| TN/Memphis (Memphis) |
38104 |
Parents of gay son |
Word, Deb & Steve |
debword@hotmail.com or 901-274-4039. Part of
parent support team in diocesan ministry with gay and lesbian
persons. Deb wrote:
“Parent’s
Journey”;
“A
Place at the Table”;
“Offended by homily? Write!”;
“Welcome to the (potluck) banquet”; and
“Dusty feet disciples”. |
| TX/Colleyville (Ft.
Worth) |
76034 |
Mother of gay son |
Rose, Dorene |
Drose1415@msn.com or 817-329-7370. Member of Ft. Worth Diocese
task force for ministry with GLBT community. |
| TX/Melissa (Dallas) |
75454 |
Parents of gay son |
Dalke, Rich & Terri |
terri9@earthlink.net or 972-837-2334. Leaders in “Outstretched
Hands” -- parish-based group that supports GLBT Catholics and
parents of GLBT persons, and provides education to the parish. |
| UT/Salt Lake City (Salt
Lake) |
84121 |
Mother of gay son |
Abele, Joan |
joancabele@gmail.com or 801-943-8111. Medical doctor. PFLAG
experience. Wrote
“Story of a Listening Parent”. |
| WI//Madison (Madison) |
53705 |
Mother of lesbian
daughter |
Thomas, Chris |
clt@tds.net or
608-231-3086. Facilitated organization of
parish
parent support group. Wrote
“For
thousands of years”. |
| WI/Chetek (Superior) |
54728 |
Parents of lesbian
daughter |
Smith, Jim & Mary Jean |
Jim:
wndpsalm@chibardun.net or 715-458-2224 or 715-642-3786 (cell).
MA in pastoral ministry. Certified spiritual director. Extensive
experience in parish and retreat house ministry, and as parish
pastoral associate and pastoral administrator.
Mary:
marijean@chibardun.net of 715-458-2224 or 715-642-3787 (cell).
Nursing background. MA in pastoral ministry. Certificate in CPE
(chaplain). Extensive experience in parish and retreat house
ministry. Parish pastoral associate experience. Wrote
“Letters can make a difference”. |
| WI/De Pere (Green Bay) |
54115 |
Parents of gay sons |
Larkey, John & Loretta |
rettmac@aol.com
or 920-336-8739. Have two gay sons. Members of St. Norbert
College worshipping community. Loretta is a trained social worker
and works as a psychotherapist. |
| WI/Hartford (Milwaukee) |
53027 |
Parents of gay son |
Weber, Carol & Fred |
cweber@netwurx.net or 262-670-0448. Members of
“Gay and Straight in Christ” parish-based support group. Wrote
“Acceptance of a gay son”. |
| WI/Madison (Madison) |
53705 |
Father of trans f>m son |
Subkoviak, Mike |
subko@education.wisc.edu 608-833-4249. Retired educational
psychology professor. |
| WI/Tomah (LaCrosse) |
54660 |
Mother of gay son |
Erickson, Rita |
arerick@centurytel.net or 608-374-2745 or 608-387-0714 (cell). |
| WI/Wauwatosa
(Milwaukee) |
53213 |
Father of lesbian
daughter |
Staudenmaier, Bill |
414-453-8561 or 414-227-1216 between 9 and 2. No email. |
