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Highlights of DignityUSA's History: 1984

The following history is based on the commemorative booklet entitled DignityUSA at 25: A Chronology, 1969-1994 compiled by former DignityUSA President Pat Roche. Copies are available from the Dignity national office and were also printed in the Dignity Journal 27:2-3 (Autumn 1995). Highlights from 1995-Present compiled by former Dignity Vice President Pat McArron.
  • On January 20, the national officers attend the Fifteenth Anniversary celebration for Dignity/Los Angeles.
  • On February 19, a column in Ann Landers encourages a closeted gay man to contact Dignity, Inc saying: "You’ll meet compassionate and understanding people there who will calm your fears and help you find a comfortable niche in society." (Dignity receives over 600 letters in response to being mentioned in the column.)
  • On October 4-5, the Board meets in Chicago. Among other things, Ernest Neumann, Direct Region 10, presents a colorful, beautifully framed Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II to Dignity, Inc. The framed certificate graces the walls of our Washington, DC office, even though we were subsequently notified that the blessing had been issued in error and was being officially revoked!
  • On October 6, a Constitutional Convention is held at the Bismarck Hotel in Chicago to revise DignityUSA’s Constitution and By-Laws.
  • Throughout the year, John Hager interviews individuals interested in serving on Dignity’s Task Force on Sexual Ethics and appoints the following individuals to serve on the Task Force: Nate Gruel, Chair, Kevin Calegari, Mari Castellanos, Jim D., Ed Dempsey, Jim Mallon, Diana Raffle, Ron Schulte, Wayne W., Sue W.