The White House invited GLAAD and LGBT and Catholic leaders to attend a ceremony on the White House's South Lawn welcoming Pope Francis before his private meeting with President Obama. Representing the organization, GLAAD's CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis and Director of Programs Ross Murray joined around 15,000 other guests for the Pope's first full day in the United States.
GLAAD's @inlayterms and @sarahkateellis are at the @WhiteHouse to see the Pope today #TellThePope#PopeInDCpic.twitter.com/6zvmdKXxSo
— GLAAD (@glaad) September 23, 2015
Also in attendance with GLAAD was Nicholas Coppola, a Catholic gay man and prominent LGBT advocate, who launched a Change.org petition asking Pope Francis to sit down and listen to LGBT Catholics during his time in the United States. His petition has garnered over 8,000 signatures.
GLAAD joined Sister Jeannine Gramick and Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities. Sister Jeannine Gramick and Francis DeBernardo were among 28 leaders of organizations that signed GLAAD and DignityUSA's letter to Pope Francis in June.
Check out photos of GLAAD's presence at the White House reception for Pope Francis below:
To find out more about GLAAD's coverage of Pope Francis's Visitation, visit www.glaad.org/pope. There you can sign Nicholas' petition and add your own message to the Pope through GLAAD's #TellThePope Tumblr campaign. Also, remember to follow GLAAD, as we will be on the ground in Philadelphia during the World Meeting of Families.