Hi! My name is Chris Huqueriza. I’m a #LGBT professional who strives to contribute to the LGBT community with my jack-of-all-trade skills. Graduating at SF State University five years ago, I’ve written for Ashcan Magazine, [X]Press Magazine, 429 Magazine, LawPivot, the Bay Area Reporter and Out & Equal’s blog. I have a flair for fashion with a great sense of pop culture geekiness.
About 500 people gathered Monday at the University of San Francisco to discuss recent proposals that Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has unveiled that many say would alter education of students and make teachers adhere to Catholic teachings even in their private lives.
Concerned parents, teachers, and students attended the forum.
Drafted by Cordileone, the revised handbook contains a morality clause that would require all staff to follow Catholic doctrine and to “conduct their lives so as to not visibly contradict, undermine or deny these truths.”
The new language would affect staff at Marin Catholic, Riordan, Junipero Serra, and Sacred Heart Cathedral high schools, which are overseen by the archdiocese. The clause specifically condemns homosexuality, marriage equality, contraception, ordination of female priests, and assisted reproductive technology such as in-vitro fertilization. Any faculty member could be fired if found in violation.
Cordileone has also upset teachers at the four Catholic high schools with proposed changes to their contract.
At the March 16 forum, students spoke out.
“The church’s teaching means to show love and compassion. We should not judge each other based on their sexuality or ethnicity,” said Sacred Heart freshman Kristin Faith Avenis, who identifies as a lesbian and said that she was teased about being gay in middle school but didn’t believe being gay was a bad thing. “We should reserve the right to judge people for God. And that’s how it’s suppose to be.”
Nine students, including Avenis, spoke about how the controversial proposal contradicts their beliefs.
“It’s important, especially for me. These teachers are my role models,” said Sacred Heart senior Gus O’Sullivan, who is gay. “My role models are forced to live contrary to their beliefs. It’s also damaging to the students who are oppressed or who are still questioning. Anything the archbishop is putting out there is not respected by [the four Catholic schools].”
While several students spoke against Cordileone’s proposals, many LGBT allies, including parents and teachers, also made remarks.
“This is not the church of San Francisco that I know or grew up with,” said Serra High School history and English teacher Paul Hance, 53, who is straight. “It goes completely against Serra High School’s mission statement. We are a brotherhood who advocate for love and acceptance.”
“We are here as parents and students to express our opposition to the proposed contract and handbook changes,” said Peggy O’Grady, a proud mother of a gay student at Sacred Heart, in a news release that she gave to the Bay Area Reporter. “We believe these changes will hurt our children, our teachers, and our school communities. To remove thoughtful reflection, dialogue, and even dissent, to silence and restrict staff, is to make our schools unsafe.”
When asked if the Catholic schools had a large LGBT representation, many students and teachers agreed that it’s “moving in the right direction.” Over a dozen teachers who identify as LGBT stood up during the forum. LGBT role models in the media; conversations of major LGBT issues like Proposition 8, California’s overturned same-sex marriage ban; and out LGBT faculty members have all factored in a movement of acceptance and love, speakers said.
“I think love is an important value in this Catholic community,” said Sacred Heart senior Kalya Stanten, who joked that she’s straight but also questioning. “Changing the language of the handbook doesn’t convey the same love that I found so meaningful. You can’t teach something negative.”
Titled “Hear Our Voices: Teach Acceptance,” the forum included speakers from several entities, including University of Las Vegas Professor of constitutional law Leslie C. Griffin; retired religious studies teacher Jim McGarry; and former Catholic Charities of San Francisco Executive Director Brian Cahill.
“Don’t let Cordileone drive you away from the church,” said Cahill, father to a gay son. “It is not consistent with the church. Cordileone is driving Catholics away.”
Representatives of the archdiocese did not return an email seeking comment.
Called Concerned Parents and Students: Teach Acceptance, the group said its main objective is to oppose the proposed changes and promote the Catholic values of love, acceptance, and justice.
The group has also asked its members and allies to participate in peaceful actions. The main objectives are to pray, walk in solidarity, and sign a petition. The next planned event will be a procession and vigil Monday, March 30 where students, teachers, and parents will meet at 6 p.m. at Mission Dolores Church, 16th and Mission streets and head to St. Mary’s Cathedral.
After six seasons, the television show about high school choirs, Glee, is ending after showcasing over 600 performances. The show was a trailblazer of LGBT representation, especially in queer youth. I continued to watch the show during its peak (the first half of season 1) and some of its lows (the erratic seasons of 4 and 5). I laughed (Sue Sylvester’s first appearance), I cried (the death of Cory Moneith), I felt the love (Kurt and Blaine’s courtship), and I sang (every episode). It’s hard to choose my favorite songs so I decided to list my 10 ten favorites spanning 6 years. Enjoy the ride of nostalgia and cry this Friday for the epic 2-hour finale as it goes back to its roots (2009) to its rumored future (2020). In no particular order, because that would be cruel…
And bonus! my first article for dot429 was an op-ed piece of Glee. Read here:
1. Don’t Rain On My Parade (Sectionals: Season 1, Episode 13)
No one can be Barbra Streisand but if anyone is a close second it’s Miss Rachel Berry. Her performance was magnificent and there was no contest that the New Directions wouldn’t win Sectionals.
2. Push It (Showmance: Season 1, Episode 2)
“That was the most offensive thing I’ve seen in 20 years of teaching, and that includes an elementary school production of Hair.” That the was reaction of Cheerleader Coach Sue Slyvester and probably the thoughts of all America (and possibly worldwide). This performance blends what makes Glee so great: comedy with awkward teens doing awkward sexual acts. It’s so raw.
3. Bohemian Rhapsody (Journey To Regionals: Season 1, Episode 22)
Having Jonathan Groff guest star on Glee is one thing, but having him sing a Queen classic is a dream come true. And when you juxtaposition the performance with Quinn’s pregnancy, it concludes the first season’s most absurd yet amusing storylines (How can Finn think he was the father through a hot tub?). We’re all rooting for the New Directions, but Vocal Adrenaline rightfully wins Regionals (plus it gave the underdogs a reason for vengeance in Season 2). Without Groff, Vocal Adrenaline are sheep without a shepherd.
4. Teenage Dream (Never Been Kissed: Season 2, Episode 6)
When did you fall in love with Darren Criss’ Blaine Anderson? For me it was the moment he bumped into Kurt and then proceeded to dance into America’s hearts with the best rendition of Teenage Dream (sorry Katy Perry). And how can you say no to a man in uniform let alone an orgy of men in uniforms?!
5. I Will Survive/Survivor (Hold On To Sixteen: Season 3, Episode 8)
This show made a point that Teacher Will Shuester has his pet favorites (Rachel) and, let’s be honest, too vanilla in his song selections (I won’t even discuss his rapping choices). Showcasing urban flavor through some of my favorite female leads, Mercedes and Santana (along with Brittany) performed a disco (and gay) classic mashed up with Destiny’s Child’s modern day anthem of survival. This all-female vocal group, The Troubletones, was a highlight of season 3 and I was giddy with delight with their return in Season 6.
6. The Way You Look Tonight/You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile (Makeover: Season 4, Episode 3)
Sometimes, you just need a song to make you smile while you dress up. And with the dynamic duo of Kurt and Rachel, they teamed up with a style icon, Miss Sarah Jessica Parker. They picked a classic song and celebrated it with style.
7. Let’s Have A Kiki/Turkey Lurkey Time (Thanksgiving: Season 4, Episode 8)
The fact that Glee was able to take a gay cult song and make it a holiday favorite complete with vocals from Sarah Jessica Parker and an appearance from drag queen Shangela (I could do without Brody), is enough reason for me to include this song on this list. Like Comic Book Legend Stan Lee would say: ‘Nuff Said.
8. Make You Feel My Love (The Quarterback: Season 5, Episode 3)
For every Gleek, there is a general consensus that we were devastated by the death of Cory Moneith. To pay respects, the show ended his arc the only way they can with the death of his character. There were a lot of amazing performances in dedication of Finn, but real-life girlfriend Lea Michele gave the best performance as it was raw and heartbreaking. It’s hard to tell the difference between Lea Michele and Rachel Berry as this was the moment where the lines were blurred. The show has never been the same without him.
9. Old Time Rock n’ Roll/Danger Zone (Boys (and Girls) on Film: Season 4, Episode 15)
I can’t say no to men wearing uniforms and underwear. But to pair it with classic 80s film soundtrack songs is a fantasy in itself. Will Shuester said they tied with the girls in their mashups, but I object!
10. All You Need Is Love (Love, Love, Love: Season 5, Episode 1)
Hearing the Beatles play as Blaine proposes to Kurt in the spot where they first met is a wish fulfillment for every Glee fan. But it was so extravagant to have the four major choirs (New Directions, The Warblers, Vocal Adrenaline, Haverbrook School For The Deaf) help in Blaine’s proposal. Kurt just couldn’t say no. The audience would have had a BF (bitchfit if you’re unaware of the 2005 slang term).
Notable Mentions:
Seasons 1-5: Single Ladies, Maybe This Time, Dance With Myself, I Dreamed A Dream, Dream a Little Dream Of Me, Teenage Dream (Acoustic),Toxic, Disco Inferno, Boogie Shoes, Imagine
Season 6 (They’re all very fresh but these songs brought Glee back to its Season 1 glory): Tightrope, Lose My Breath, At Last, I’m So Excited, Somebody Loves You, It’s Too Late, I Know Where I’ve Been, Mustang Sally, Home
I know it’s been all over the internet, but I can’t stop watching the Saved By The Bell reunion. Aside from X-Men: The Animated Series, Saved By The Bell was my favorite show when I was 7. I pronounced by crush on Tiffani Amber Thiessen and followed her when she made trouble on Beverly Hills, 90210. I secretly had a crush on Zack Morris so Kack (or Zelly) were my ultimate couple. I’m just SO EXCITED! Thank you, Fallon.
Posted by Chris Huqueriza 
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