Leaders of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups expressed dismay on Wednesday after Pope Francis said that schoolchildren are being taught they can choose their gender as part of what he called an “ideological colonization.”

Francis was meeting privately with bishops in Poland last week when he broached the matter. “Today, in schools they are teaching this to children — to children! — that everyone can choose their gender,” he said, according to a transcript released by the Vatican on Tuesday.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, the executive director of DignityUSA, a leading organization of L.G.B.T. Catholics, said the comments represented a “dangerous ignorance” about gender identity, which is no more a choice than height or hair color.

“It’s very troubling that the pope would say this,” Ms. Duddy-Burke said on Wednesday. “It also shows that the pope doesn’t understand the danger that his words can mean for gender-nonconforming people, particularly those who live in countries with laws or cultural pressures that put these people at risk for violence.”

In his remarks, the pope said the idea of choosing gender was being taught with schoolbooks supplied by influential donors and countries. He did not identify which.

“This is terrible,” he said, according to the transcript.

Francis, who is Argentine, also did not offer examples of classrooms using such a curriculum. But church analysts say he has long harbored resentment over so-called ideological colonialism, the notion that international groups offer aid to developing nations contingent upon the adoption of Western values.

“It’s not all that clear who he’s mad at and what’s upsetting him,” said the Rev. Thomas J. Reese, a Jesuit priest and senior analyst for The National Catholic Reporter. “But there’s something underlying there. And I think it’s primarily that he feels that this kind of stuff is being pushed down their throats.”

During a trip to the Philippines in 2015, the pope warned of “the new ideological colonization that tries to destroy the family.” Asked by journalists what he meant, he was reported to have given the example of an education minister in Argentina who was offered a loan to build schools on the condition that the textbooks include “gender theory.”

The pontiff’s latest remarks represented a letdown for gay rights groups that were encouraged by the pope’s conciliatory remarks in June after the massacre of gay patrons at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Francis said at the time that gays were owed an apology for past mistreatment by Christians.Sarah McBride, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, said the words sent a ripple of hope through the L.G.B.T. community that the Vatican might be embracing a broader stance on inclusion.

She added, however, “I think what’s clear in this last statement is that maybe those sentiments weren’t universally applied — that for transgender people, the pontiff is applying a different standard.”

Francis, whose papacy began in 2013, has won admirers, and detractors, for his relatively progressive views on social issues, once declaring, “Who am I to judge?” on the matter of gay priests.

Austen Ivereigh, the author of “The Great Reformer,” a biography of Pope Francis, said the pontiff also has a track record of reaching out to transgender people and telling them they are “children of God and part of the church.”

Perhaps the best-known example was in early 2015, when a Spanish daily reported that Francis had invited a transgender man to the Vatican after he wrote that he had been rejected by his parish. The man, Diego Neria Lejarraga, later said the experience “changed my life.”

Mr. Ivereigh said the pontiff’s remarks last week represented no prejudice toward transgender people, but rather a rejection of so-called gender ideology.

“His view is that gender is a gift of God — it’s part of the created world,” Mr. Ivereigh said. “And that gender ideology, which says that gender is something that you can choose and select, is an abstract ideology which doesn’t correspond to that human reality.”

In a major document regarding family issues released in April — titled “Amoris Laetitia,” Latin for “The Joy of Love” — Francis warns of “an ideology of gender” as a threat to the family.

“Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift,” he writes. “At the same time, we are called to protect our humanity, and this means, in the first place, accepting it and respecting it as it was created.”

L.G.B.T. leaders said Wednesday that the pope had failed to grasp that one’s gender identity is discovered, often at a very young age, not chosen. Ms. McBride, of the Human Rights Campaign, noted that transgender people have been a part of humanity throughout time and across cultures.

“There have been times where he’s demonstrated compassion,” she said of Francis. “Then there have been other times where his words have been not only hurtful, and frankly harmful, but really demonstrating a misunderstanding of what it means to be transgender.”

Sarah McBride, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, said the words sent a ripple of hope through the L.G.B.T. community that the Vatican might be embracing a broader stance on inclusion.

She added, however, “I think what’s clear in this last statement is that maybe those sentiments weren’t universally applied — that for transgender people, the pontiff is applying a different standard.”

Francis, whose papacy began in 2013, has won admirers, and detractors, for his relatively progressive views on social issues, once declaring, “Who am I to judge?” on the matter of gay priests.

Austen Ivereigh, the author of “The Great Reformer,” a biography of Pope Francis, said the pontiff also has a track record of reaching out to transgender people and telling them they are “children of God and part of the church.”

Perhaps the best-known example was in early 2015, when a Spanish daily reported that Francis had invited a transgender man to the Vatican after he wrote that he had been rejected by his parish. The man, Diego Neria Lejarraga, later said the experience “changed my life.”

Mr. Ivereigh said the pontiff’s remarks last week represented no prejudice toward transgender people, but rather a rejection of so-called gender ideology.

“His view is that gender is a gift of God — it’s part of the created world,” Mr. Ivereigh said. “And that gender ideology, which says that gender is something that you can choose and select, is an abstract ideology which doesn’t correspond to that human reality.”

In a major document regarding family issues released in April — titled “Amoris Laetitia,” Latin for “The Joy of Love” — Francis warns of “an ideology of gender” as a threat to the family.

“Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift,” he writes. “At the same time, we are called to protect our humanity, and this means, in the first place, accepting it and respecting it as it was created.”

L.G.B.T. leaders said Wednesday that the pope had failed to grasp that one’s gender identity is discovered, often at a very young age, not chosen. Ms. McBride, of the Human Rights Campaign, noted that transgender people have been a part of humanity throughout time and across cultures.

“There have been times where he’s demonstrated compassion,” she said of Francis. “Then there have been other times where his words have been not only hurtful, and frankly harmful, but really demonstrating a misunderstanding of what it means to be transgender.”

Sarah McBride, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, said the words sent a ripple of hope through the L.G.B.T. community that the Vatican might be embracing a broader stance on inclusion.

She added, however, “I think what’s clear in this last statement is that maybe those sentiments weren’t universally applied — that for transgender people, the pontiff is applying a different standard.”

Francis, whose papacy began in 2013, has won admirers, and detractors, for his relatively progressive views on social issues, once declaring, “Who am I to judge?” on the matter of gay priests.

Austen Ivereigh, the author of “The Great Reformer,” a biography of Pope Francis, said the pontiff also has a track record of reaching out to transgender people and telling them they are “children of God and part of the church.”

Perhaps the best-known example was in early 2015, when a Spanish daily reported that Francis had invited a transgender man to the Vatican after he wrote that he had been rejected by his parish. The man, Diego Neria Lejarraga, later said the experience “changed my life.”

Mr. Ivereigh said the pontiff’s remarks last week represented no prejudice toward transgender people, but rather a rejection of so-called gender ideology.

“His view is that gender is a gift of God — it’s part of the created world,” Mr. Ivereigh said. “And that gender ideology, which says that gender is something that you can choose and select, is an abstract ideology which doesn’t correspond to that human reality.”

In a major document regarding family issues released in April — titled “Amoris Laetitia,” Latin for “The Joy of Love” — Francis warns of “an ideology of gender” as a threat to the family.

“Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift,” he writes. “At the same time, we are called to protect our humanity, and this means, in the first place, accepting it and respecting it as it was created.”

L.G.B.T. leaders said Wednesday that the pope had failed to grasp that one’s gender identity is discovered, often at a very young age, not chosen. Ms. McBride, of the Human Rights Campaign, noted that transgender people have been a part of humanity throughout time and across cultures.

“There have been times where he’s demonstrated compassion,” she said of Francis. “Then there have been other times where his words have been not only hurtful, and frankly harmful, but really demonstrating a misunderstanding of what it means to be transgender.
Sarah McBride, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, said the words sent a ripple of hope through the L.G.B.T. community that the Vatican might be embracing a broader stance on inclusion.

She added, however, “I think what’s clear in this last statement is that maybe those sentiments weren’t universally applied — that for transgender people, the pontiff is applying a different standard.”

Francis, whose papacy began in 2013, has won admirers, and detractors, for his relatively progressive views on social issues, once declaring, “Who am I to judge?” on the matter of gay priests.

Austen Ivereigh, the author of “The Great Reformer,” a biography of Pope Francis, said the pontiff also has a track record of reaching out to transgender people and telling them they are “children of God and part of the church.”

Perhaps the best-known example was in early 2015, when a Spanish daily reported that Francis had invited a transgender man to the Vatican after he wrote that he had been rejected by his parish. The man, Diego Neria Lejarraga, later said the experience “changed my life.”

Mr. Ivereigh said the pontiff’s remarks last week represented no prejudice toward transgender people, but rather a rejection of so-called gender ideology.

“His view is that gender is a gift of God — it’s part of the created world,” Mr. Ivereigh said. “And that gender ideology, which says that gender is something that you can choose and select, is an abstract ideology which doesn’t correspond to that human reality.”

In a major document regarding family issues released in April — titled “Amoris Laetitia,” Latin for “The Joy of Love” — Francis warns of “an ideology of gender” as a threat to the family.

“Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift,” he writes. “At the same time, we are called to protect our humanity, and this means, in the first place, accepting it and respecting it as it was created.”

L.G.B.T. leaders said Wednesday that the pope had failed to grasp that one’s gender identity is discovered, often at a very young age, not chosen. Ms. McBride, of the Human Rights Campaign, noted that transgender people have been a part of humanity throughout time and across cultures.

“There have been times where he’s demonstrated compassion,” she said of Francis. “Then there have been other times where his words have been not only hurtful, and frankly harmful, but really demonstrating a misunderstanding of what it means to be transgender.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/world/europe/pope-francis-remarks-disappoint-gay-and-transgender-groups.html?_r=0

pope is not a true believer but a religious figure doom for hell, if he remain in that anti-Christ seat. no good fruit comes out of a bad tree.

man49men:
pope is not a true believer but a religious figure doom for hell, if he remain in that anti-Christ seat. no good fruit comes out of a bad tree.

This is just your silly, petty, predetermine prejudice base on a story your quasi educated religious teachers told you. you are simply regurgitating ur groups ignorant religious mantra about the pope.


take a look at the post above, see what he said, look at what he condemn and tell me what he said above that is wron and suddenly makes him a bad tree. what is there that is incorrect?

to even underline ur ignorance u claim d papacy is an antichrist seat, the same papacy that spead xtianity across d world, nigeria was evangelised largely by irish missionary, the papacy evangelised ireland, so u owe your christianity to the antichrist abi.

you are just showing the ignorance, pettiness,... that abound in ur protestant circles.

my friends is like you are quarreling with words and sentence to use. who told you papacy evangelize Irish, you don't even know history. maybe you are talking of spreading Catholicism in the western. Real evangelism is done by protestant like matins Luther,john wesely,Charles .G. finney john knor of Scotland.

....and the 'silent' battle between protestants and Orthodox continues.......

man49men:
my friends is like you are quarreling with words and sentence to use. who told you papacy evangelize Irish, you don't even know history. maybe you are talking of spreading Catholicism in the western. Real evangelism is done by protestant like matins Luther,john wesely,Charles .G. finney john knor of Scotland.

This futher confirms what i said about your ignorance, ireland was evangelised in d 4th and 5th century by men like paladius and st patrick, matin luther lived about the 16th century and didnt even preach in ireland. Ireland were already christian for over 1000yrs before any of those people above were born, matin luther, wesley and knox werent even concieved when ireland was evangelised.

You need to go and learn a little before u start criticising. Even martin luther wrote that he owes the catholic church for even d bible.

lalasticala

man49men:
pope is not a true believer but a religious figure doom for hell, if he remain in that anti-Christ seat. no good fruit comes out of a bad tree.

Are you okay? Whats wrong in his statement. The "anti-christ seat" is the one that taught christianity to martin luther and others. Every church has root in the catholic church. So judging from your quote, can indeed a good fruit come out of a bad tree?

Cows.Why do most "people" not think like humans?. What a bunch of zombies!

Hmm. The idea of teaching kids that sort of thing is repulsive. I've always suspected that the LGBT always tend to like doing what this Christians and Muslims always do, that is shove their believe down people's throat.

It is not by force for one to accept you for being who or what you are, then why force them or try to cajole them?

Audray:
Cows.Why do most "people" not think like humans?. What a bunch of zombies!

I went through your profile. You prefer the women folks. Am not surprised at your statement. You are among those disappointed

Alexandro15:


I went through your profile. You prefer the women folks. Am not surprised at your statement. You are among those disappointed

Congrats on cracking this tough one detective!

Audray:
Congrats on cracking this tough one detective!

...we like to no if u wear thong and wot color?