Catholic Diocese of Cleveland bars LGBTQ+ expression, support on school properties

Catholic Diocese of Cleveland students, faculty and staff could face disciplinary action in a new policy released this month if they display pride flags or rainbows or attend school dances with same-sex partners.

This policy bars individuals from outwardly identifying as LGBTQ+, using pronouns or dressing in a way that matches their LGBTQ+ identity or publicly advocating or celebrating pride on school property.

The policy covers diocesan-run and parish schools throughout Northeast Ohio, including Summit County. It does not necessarily cover Akron-area Catholic high schools.

"Each and every person is welcome and invited to be a part of the Church. Each one of us brings our own struggles and questions, and the Church, like Christ, meets each one of us where we are," the diocese said in a statement. "It is our hope that this policy, in tandem with the pastoral and theological resources found on the diocese’s website, helps each person to live more fully in the truth of their identity as a son or daughter of God who is made, body and soul, in His image."

The diocese states in the policy that the new restrictions fall in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the "divinely revealed truth."

Although the policy acknowledges that people have different sexualities and gender identities, it describes these experiences as "gender dysphoria" and "gender confusion."

It continues to say that gender, as it "represents one's true, inner self, even if inconsistent with our physical sex," is "contrary to the divinely revealed reality of our true, God-given human nature."

What the policy restricts, requires

The policy requires parents of students who experience "gender dysphoria" or "gender confusion" to be notified unless the child or teen would face physical abuse at home. If this is the case, teachers and the school are urged to call the diocese's legal department.

Parents refusing to call a student by their preferred pronouns or respecting the child's chosen identity is not abuse, according to the document.

Nicknames that do not "obscure or contradict the person's God-given biological sex" are acceptable, but those that "promote the idea that one's gender is different than one's God-given biological sex" are not, the policy states. School records will not reflect preferred pronouns or names.

Bathrooms, facilities and institutions intended for only men or women are to remain as such, according to the policy. Women who hope to compete on men's athletic teams can do so at the school's discretion.

The policy bars individuals from attending dances or other diocese-sponsored events with a date of the same sex, and from expressing romantic interest or sexual attraction to anyone of the same sex.

Students can attend a dance with a "platonic friend" of the same sex with the school's permission, according to the policy.

While on school property, the policy requires individuals to dress and appear in a way consistent with their biological sex at birth. The diocese also bans people from "social transitions, surgeries, or medical surgeries" that would "feminize" men or "masculinize" women.

No faculty, staff or students can celebrate or advocate LBGTQ+ pride, according to the policy. This includes pride rainbows, flags or other symbols "construed as being opposed to Church teaching."

Anyone, including students, who violate the policy could face disciplinary action, although it does not state how individuals would be disciplined

"However, those persons who choose to openly express disagreement with Church teaching on matters of sex, sexuality, and/or gender in an inappropriate or scandalous way, or who act in ways contrary to the teachings of the Church, may be subject to restrictions on his or her participation in the life of the institution or, in appropriate cases, to disciplinary action, both for that person's own good and/or the good of others," the policy states.

Cleveland mayor calls policy a 'betrayal'

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb took to X, formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday in criticism of the diocese he grew up in.

"As a Christian, the new Catholic Diocese of Cleveland anti-LGBTQ+ policy is a shocking betrayal of the Church teachings that have shaped who I am today," he wrote.

Faith, he wrote in a statement attached to the post, is about love and acceptance.

"Instead, the new policy forces LGBTQ+ kids to hide their authentic selves and attend school in fear of persecution for who they are," Bibb wrote. "I extend my heartfelt solidarity to our LGBTQ+ friends and students. Rest assured that this policy, along with any expressions of hatred, doesn't go unnoticed."

Non-diocesan Catholic school reacts

Like other non-diocesan schools, Walsh Jesuit High School is not required to follow the policies approved by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, said Anthony Burke, director of communications for the high school.

But schools like Walsh Jesuit can use these policies as guidelines to add to their handbooks each year.

For Walsh, Burke explained, the diocese's policy arrived after the school began, so it will not affect the 2023-2024 handbook.

"We will use these diocesan guidelines and our guidelines for cura personalis when crafting our handbook and policies for our next school year," he said.

Cura personalis is a Latin phrase that means care of the entire person, Burke said.

"As our student handbook makes clear, we believe that every person is made in God's image and likeness, and we will always work so that everyone can reach their God-given potential," he explained.

The Walsh Jesuit administration is reviewing the new Catholic Diocese of Cleveland policy, Burke said.

The goal of the Walsh Jesuit, he said, is to affirm the teachings of the Catholic Church while valuing inclusion and striving "to be a community of faith for all people."

"A central truth of our faith is to care for everyone with sensitivity that embodies God’s limitless love for each person, and that every single human being is of limitless value because they are created in the image and likeness of God," he said.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Catholic Diocese of Cleveland policy bans LGBTQ+ expression at schools