Acceptance Brisbane Folds

Gay Catholic support group Acceptance has lost its Queensland chapter but remains strong in two states.

Acceptance Brisbane held its final Mass in December before the Christmas, and has since been inactive. Contact numbers for the group no longer work.

Tim from Acceptance Sydney told the Star Observer that he was advised in November that the group had decided to disband at the end of 2010.

“Unfortunately, due to declining numbers they weren’t able to continue,” Tim said.

“They just didn’t have the people or the infrastructure to keep going. It was with some sadness that we learned of that.”

He said the Brisbane chapter’s closing was particularly disappointing as the Brisbane diocese had been supportive.

“A couple of years ago they did some interesting joint work with the diocese in relation to addressing homophobia in schools,” Tim said.

“Perhaps it’s a sign that gay Catholics in Brisbane feel welcome enough that they don’t feel the need to have an Acceptance equivalent.”

Tim said Sydney Acceptance had made a standing offer to help the Brisbane chapter if they wanted to restart in the future.

With Brisbane gone, and Acceptance Melbourne not having updated its website since March last year, Tim had been under the impression that Sydney was the only Acceptance chapter still functioning.

However, Star Observer spoke to Bernard Sheedy from Acceptance Melbourne and was able to confirm that the chapter is still active.

Sheedy said the Melbourne chapter was in the process of producing a newsletter, and still meets on the second Friday of every month.

“We have a Mass in January, we have one in February, and we’ll have them right through the year,” Sheedy said.

Acceptance Melbourne hopes to update its website and hold a social event for members later this year, while Acceptance Sydney is gearing up for the Mardi Gras season with a stall at Fair Day and an entry in the parade.

Acceptance Sydney is also holding its annual fundraising event for Stanford House in Newtown on February 12.

“Stanford House provides supported accommodation for people living with AIDS,” Tim said. “During Mardi Gras we’re holding a trivia night in the crypt underneath the church at St Josephs, Newtown and that’s always great fun.”