Quote of the Day

. . . I'm still trying to figure out what in the world [the Colorado Springs Diocese's 12-step program for homosexuals] is attempting to accomplish. If it's to help a person modify abusive exploitative sexuality, a twelve step program for that already exists – and it works with either gays or straights. I suspect this program at core is not about addictive abusive sexuality. It's about reinforcing 'correct Catholic thinking' about gay sexuality. I also suspect it's sort of aimed at seminary types who could probably get a seal of approval if they participate in this program.

There is also no compelling reason not to start a group for straight single men, and that might actually help accomplish a reduction in abortion and unwed motherhood. So I'm wondering why there is no group for straight single men. The amount of destruction left behind by irresponsible ego driven straight single men is legendary and it already gone through a number of scandals involving the rape of female cadets. Date rape is exploding on all our college campuses and that's not happening because of gay men. Virtually every college and university fraternity could support such a twelve step group. The Church could also start a group in the inner city where marriage before sex is about as likely as caviar with dinner.

I really want to know why straight single men are always left out of all the sexual discussions? Is it because the Church actually has no courage when it comes to dealing with straight men and the repercussions of irresponsible straight sex? That would be my guess. It doesn't take courage to focus on the supposed flaws of a sub group already thoroughly conditioned to accept such a focus. This is just more abusive marginalization dressed up as a pastoral initiative. It's also an abuse of the Twelve Step therapeutic approach which is targeted at addictive behavior, not romantic attachment. And maybe that's what's bugging me. The Church seems incapable of seeing homosexuality in terms of romantic attachment just as it's seemingly incapable of seeing aspects of single male heterosexual activity in terms of an exploitative and outright selfish 'lifestyle.'. . .

– Colleen Kochivar-Baker
"About That Twelve Step Program For Gay Men
– Where's The Courage In That?"
Enlightened Catholicism
January 22, 2011

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Notes from the "Laughable but Tragic" World of Courage
John Townsend Responds to His Critics
Beyond Courage
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Courage
John Harvey, Founder of the Courage Apostolate, 1918-2010
Holding the Courage Apostolate Accountable
The Cowardice of Courage
The Many Forms of Courage
What is a "Lifestyle"?
The Gifts of Homosexuality
Celebrating Our Sanctifying Truth
The Many Manifestations of God's Loving Embrace
Sons of the Church: The Witnessing of Gay Catholic Men – A Discussion Guide
A Catholic Bibliography on Gay Issues