I have, over the years, grown to appreciate diversity as a beautiful gift from God. I went from being the average straight man who didn’t really understand different sexual and gender identities to being an advocate and ally for LGBTQ people. Our church stood with diverse communities as they worked towards equality, and our congregation became the first Open & Affirming UCC congregation for 35-40 miles in every direction back in 2013. We have been a mainstay at the Berks County Pride Festival for over 20 years, and we share our space – for free -with the Reading Berks LGBT Center. We believe that accepting and loving yourself as an amazing creation of God is central to loving yourself, and we know how important that is to children and youth as they grow into healthy adults. This Sunday, we will celebrate our ONA status in worship, and on July 2 we will be painting a temporary mural at the Goggleworks. But…
I have become more and more concerned about the way companies and individuals are being forced to be a part of Pride events when they either are opposed, based on religious beliefs, or unsure about what they believe about gender and sexual orientation. For millennia, non-straight and non-cisgender people have been forced to pretend they weren’t who they are, and that deeply damaged them in so many ways. I grew up with a family friend who was gay, and my eventual realization of that was the beginning of my journey towards acceptance and affirmation. I was enculturated to think in terms of being straight as “normal”, and acknowledging two genders only, and learning about difference, meeting people who identified differently from me, and maturing in faith, allowed me to change my way of thinking. Forcing Pride on people may or may not be a negative experience for them, but it seems antithetical to the process to do to others what you hated having done to you.
I think kids should be able to talk about their parents in school, regardless of their family structure. I think marriage equality is a gift. I think junior high school health classes should include all kinds of discussions about gender and sexuality. But – there that is again – But – does forcing every member of a sport’s team to wear a Pride shirt really further the mission of inclusion? This thought was spurred by an article this past week about a minor league baseball team that forfeited a game over this very issue. I think each person should be allowed and encouraged to wear something displaying their support of Pride; I also think that those who aren’t there yet should be allowed the freedom not to. Forcing a public acceptance of Pride takes away a person’s agency and free will, and that is the opposite of what changes hearts and minds. I stand with the LGBTQ community and wear my Pride shirts because I believe they are all a blessing from God, and I don’t care what others think about it. That is my choice, and I think others should be able to choose as well. Because Pride Matters. And so does free will.
Prayer – Holy God, open our hearts to love and accept all of Your creation, and push us to think and learn about each other. Amen.
Today’s art is “Pride for All” by Sarah C.B. Guthrie.