Lesbian Politician May Speak at Catholic School After All

Vernetta Alston, who was disinvited from a Black History Month event at the school, met with the priest in charge this week.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

February 16 2019 11:35 AM EST

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The priest who canceled an appearance by a lesbian politician at a Catholic school in Durham, N.C., is reconsidering his decision.

Father Chris VanHaight, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, met Thursday with Durham City Council member Vernetta Alston and apologized for rescinding her invitation to speak to students at Immaculata Catholic school, which the church runs, reports The News & Observer of Raleigh.

Alston, an alumna of the school, an attorney, and a longtime activist on social justice issues, had been scheduled to appear at a Black History Month event February 8. She had been invited by the school's African-American Heritage Committee, but VanHaight ended up canceling the event and closing the school for the day, saying protests were expected over Alston's appearance, and he was concerned about students' safety. He later admitted that he had a problem with hosting a lesbian elected official who is married to a same-sex partner, which is contrary to church teaching.

VanHaight received much criticism for the decision. He apologized when he met with Alston, she told The News & Observer Friday. The paper reports that he reinvited her, but she disputed that characterization of the meeting, although she is open to appearing at the school.