La Tenda di Gionata is an Italian Christian volunteer association, founded by volunteers of the Gionata Project who agreed to a proposal of the catholic priest David Esposito. Following his intention, we commit ourselves to the welcoming, training and knowledge of LGBT Christians, their families and pastoral workers, in dialogue with the various Christian communities.
Welcoming: we arrange pastoral events (spiritual retreats, community meetings, pilgrimages, etc.), open to all who are interested, to help LGBT people and their families feel welcome in their Church, but also to foster in our Christian communities listening and to get to know each other.
Training: We promote theological and pastoral learning, debate and updates on faith and homosexuality, giving voice to theologians and pastoral agents who study these issues, listening together to the experiences of people throughout their journey.
Knowledge: We publish documents in Italian that promote thought on these issues. We plan to print a publication every year (on paper or ebook) and to distribute it for free to Christian groups with whom we are in contact (the first one can be downloaded). We also want to collect and make known theological and pastoral experiences and documents on the inclusion of LGBT Christians and their families in local Churches around the world.
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![]() | Christian Parents with homosexual children in Italy share their experienceChristian parents with homosexual children in Italy share their experience and talk about what happened in the family when their children came out. Turn English subtitles on in the video.… | ![]() | From “Tenda di Gionata” a booklet with experiences from Parents which has helped us understand the pastoral needs of our LGBT children.Article published in Noi famiglia & vita, monthly supplement of Avvenire, newspaper of the Italian Episcopal Conference, 26 May 2019, pp.36-37 Here we publish excerpts from the preface that don… | ![]() | Vigil in Bergamo: “No to homophobia”. The bishop: “The community must be welcoming”Article by Carmelo Epis published in L’Eco di Bergamo (Italy), 17 May 2019, translated by Francesco Gagliardi (Tenda di Gionata) "There are many different conditions, not just homosexuality. Mutual acceptance… | ![]() | Vigils in Italy, Malta, Spain and Hungary for IDAHOBIT 2019[embed]https://youtu.be/EqIjOxJyTW4[/embed] . Press release of La Tenda di Gionata (Italy), 15 May 2019 On International Day against homo, bi and transphobia 2019 vigils are taking place in Italy, Spain, Malta,… | ![]() | “You are precious in my sight” (Is 43, 1.4): many vigils for IDAHOBIT[embed]https://youtu.be/EqIjOxJyTW4[/embed] . 17 May is the International day against Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia (IDAHOBIT). On and around that day Christians from all over Europe will gather together with their LGBT… | ![]() | Fortunate Families Meeting in Florence (Italy). Catholic parents with LGBT children meet their priestsPress release of the association LA TENDA DI GIONATA (Italy), translated from Davide Ebro “Why am I here? How have I come to be here? What can we do together,… | ![]() | LGBT+ Catholics Westminster meet pope Francis[gallery columns="2" size="large" link="file" ids="31441,31440"] . Media release, LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council (United Kingdom), 11 march 2019 On Ash Wednesday, 6 March 2019, the 16 pilgrims, including parents and… | ![]() | “You have value in my eyes” (Isaiah 43:1-4) the theme for the Vigils IDAHOT 2019An online survey has been carried out by Progetto Gionata, the Italian LGBT Christian network, to choose the Bible passage that will headline the vigils, services and candlelight walks taking… | ![]() | Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, presides at Mass welcoming LGBT+ Catholics, parents and familiesMedia release LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council (London, United Kingdom) Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, presided for the 2nd time at the Mass welcoming LGBT+ Catholics, parents and families,… | ![]() | Speaking to LGBT people, Bishop Semeraro said: “We accept you as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a seal of truth that nobody can deny”This article was written by Luciano Moia and was published on the Catholic newspaper “Avvenire” (Italy) on 9 September 2018, p.19 Marcello Semeraro, Bishop of Albano and Secretary of the… |