Does the Catholic Church Hate Gays?

As I have followed the national debate over whether those with homosexual attractions should be allowed to enter into same-sex “marriages,” I have heard gay activists explicitly say or imply that the Catholic Church hates homosexuals. Take for example David Bohnett, the founder of an organization that aims to improve “society through social activism,” who recently received an award from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). During his acceptance speech, Mr. Bohnett said that homosexual activists should “challenge those religious leaders and institutions that shamefully and cowardly use the imprimatur of their church and the name of god [sic] and Jesus to promote hatred and bigotry toward lesbians and gay men.” He then added that the “greatest adversaries who actively work against us are the leaders of the Catholic, Mormon, and evangelical churches who seek to deny equal protection for us and for our children.”

Those are some serious charges leveled by Mr. Bohnett against the Catholic Church. Yet he offered no proof of this deeply ingrained hatred of homosexuals among members of Church hierarchy, other than their opposition to the homosexual lifestyle and homosexual “marriage.” Believe it or not, Mr. Bohnett, people can be opposed to homosexual “marriages” without being homophobes. The Catholic Church is opposed to homosexual “marriage” because it knows that a marriage consisting of one man and one woman is the best possible environment in which to raise children. Research has backed this up. The Church teaches this out of love, not hate.

Also, the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that people with same-sex attractions “should be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” Now does that sound like a Church that hates people because of who they are sexually attracted to?

I can tell you from experience that I have experienced a great deal of love from those in the Church, including several priests, who are aware of my sexual attractions. I have never experienced any hatred from anyone that I have discussed my sexual issues with. Mr. Bohnett should be ashamed of himself for making these baseless claims against the Catholic Church.