Catholic college supports gender ideology organizations financially
Providence College’s Troubling Support for Organizations Promoting Gender Ideology to Children
Providence College, a Catholic university in Rhode Island, has come under scrutiny for donating thousands of dollars in grant awards to nonprofit organizations that openly promote gender ideology to children. These organizations, such as Youth Pride RI and Young Voices, directly target LGBTQIA+ or gender and sexuality programs to children. Even more concerning is the fact that one grant recipient, Rhode Island Kids Count, testified in support of bills teaching gender identity to students and supported the Rhode Island Department of Education’s guidance on transgender school policies that keep secrets from parents. Lifespan, a current Community Partner with Providence College, provides “gender and sexual health services” to children.
A Catholic College’s Disturbing Oversight
How did a Catholic college in the most Catholic state in America fail to vet such anti-Catholic organizations as grant recipients? The name alone of these organizations should have acted as a Catholic repellant to any vigilant Catholic institution. Yet, Providence College not only supported them but also partnered with them.
The most egregious error in religious discernment is found in the $10,000 grant award to Youth Pride RI in 2021. This is the same year Youth Pride RI launched a program titled “Little Unicorns,” which involved adults talking to children ages 5 to 9 about gender and sexuality on weekly Zoom sessions without parental involvement. Youth Pride RI also consults with RI public school gender and sexuality (GSA) clubs, organizes a multi-state GSA conference, and backed a bill making Rhode Island a sanctuary state for ”gender-affirming care” and abortion. All of this support for transgender and abortion sanctuary state status came after the Providence College Partnership was established.
Questionable Judgment and Affiliations
It is concerning that a Catholic college would award a grant to an organization promoting sex changes to children and engaging in sexual conversations with kindergartners. This lapse in judgment raises questions about the oversight of Providence College and its affiliations.
Another organization, RI Kids Count, received $20,000 from Providence College’s Making A Difference Board in January 2024. RI Kids Count recently declared its support for trans youth at an event meant to demonize parents who were educating themselves about gender ideology in schools. This raises further concerns about the alignment of Providence College with organizations that promote ideologies contrary to Catholic teachings.
Providence College’s support for organizations like Young Voices, which solicits children to complete an interest form without parental consent or minimum age requirement, and Lifespan, which provides “gender and sexual health services” to children, is also troubling. These partnerships raise questions about the college’s commitment to Catholic values and the well-being of children.
The Need for Better Vetting and Accountability
If vetting is too burdensome to ensure Catholic money does not promote anti-Catholic initiatives, Providence College should consider including an eligibility clause on grant applications that disqualifies organizations promoting gender ideology and abortion. Additionally, a certification should be required to ensure applicants have read and understood the eligibility requirements, with misrepresentations resulting in a return of funds.
Providence College’s questionable judgment and affiliations with organizations promoting gender ideology to children raise serious concerns about its commitment to Catholic values and the well-being of young minds. It is crucial for the college to reevaluate its partnerships and ensure that Catholic money is not used to support initiatives that go against the teachings of the Church.
Nicole Solas is a senior fellow with the Education Freedom Center at Independent Women’s Forum (iwf.org/EFC).
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
How does Count’s support for bills that teach gender identity to students align with their advocacy for child well-being and policy?
Count is an advocacy organization that focuses on child well-being and policy. However, their support for bills that teach gender identity to students and their endorsement of Rhode Island Department of Education’s guidance on transgender school policies demonstrate their alignment with gender ideology promotion. This raises concerns about Providence College’s decision to financially support an organization that promotes a viewpoint contradictory to Catholic teachings.
Additionally, the involvement of Lifespan as a Community Partner with Providence College is troubling. Lifespan provides ”gender and sexual health services” to children, which raises questions about the nature and extent of these services. As a Catholic institution, Providence College should prioritize the well-being and moral development of its students, and partnering with an organization that facilitates access to potentially inappropriate or contradictory services is contradictory to this mission.
The Catholic Church upholds the dignity of every human person and teaches that gender is an inherent aspect of one’s identity, determined by biological sex. The promotion of gender ideology to children contradicts this understanding and can lead to confusion and harm. Catholic educational institutions have a responsibility to ensure that their practices and partnerships align with Catholic teachings and values. Unfortunately, in the case of Providence College, this does not appear to be the case.
It is imperative that Providence College reassesses its affiliations and grant awarding process to ensure that it upholds and promotes Catholic teachings on gender and sexuality. The college must prioritize the well-being and formation of its students and ensure that it does not support organizations or initiatives that directly contradict Catholic teachings.
In conclusion, Providence College’s support for organizations promoting gender ideology to children raises serious concerns about the college’s commitment to Catholic teachings and values. The grant awards to organizations like Youth Pride RI and RI Kids Count, along with the partnership with Lifespan, indicate a lapse in judgment and oversight. It is essential for the college to reassess its affiliations and grant awarding process to ensure that it upholds and promotes Catholic teachings on gender and sexuality. In doing so, Providence College can truly fulfill its mission as a Catholic institution dedicated to the holistic development and formation of its students.
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