May a Catholic Attend a Lesbian Bridal Shower?

Although bridal showers are not weddings, they support those who are preparing for marriage or, in the case of a same-sex couple, for example, invalidly attempting to get married. You always want to do everything you can to make a difference in such a couple’s lives, but part of that is loving them authentically.

In this case, that would mean charitably explaining to them that you will always be their friend and do anything you can do to lovingly support them—and here that would mean not participating in their bridal shower, let alone their invalid attempt to marry. For more on handling this delicate pastoral situation, please see our letter, “Should I Attend My Daughter’s Same-Sex ‘Marriage’?”