Finally Free!

After church yesterday, my friend and I went to Davie Street to watch the Pride Parade – we thought it might be interesting (we didn't tell anyone at church where we were going ... shhh!!). And it was indeed interesting; it was quite a show! There were floats and goodies and loud music, and thousands of spectators – all the normal parade stuff. However, as all the rainbow-drenched scenery strolled by, I couldn’t help but be happy for these people, and sad that more Christians wouldn’t attend. We have been this people's biggest persecutor over the last millennia, as the Church, imprisoning and even putting them to death for being who they are. I was happy for these people, that the church had been stripped of its power to kill or castrate and mangle them, but sad that the thoughts to do these things are still in the minds of some. Also sad that though the power to do this has been stripped, the power to shun still prevails, the power to mangle with words and implications still prevails, the power to hate lives on. (As the worst example of this, take a look at an interview with Shirley Phelps.)

But I was mostly happy; they can sing and dance in the streets and tell the whole world they are gay and not worry (much) about being beat up for it, or thrown in prison, or worse. In my opinion, to be chastised for being gay is the same as being chastised for being black instead of white, or for being a woman instead of a man, or for being guilty of any item in the list of un-chosen and unchangeable things.

One float was by the Rainbow Community Church, on whose sign was written: “Everyone Welcome, and we mean it!” It’s sad that their implication about our churches is so correct.

Come on people, get out there. Love them! They want nothing else from us! If you heard some of the life stories of these people, you’d know that, if given the choice before their life began, they never would have chosen to be gay – ever! It’s a very difficult path in almost every case, and a lot of the time it's difficult because of the church's view and the church's past influence on present day society. Because of their difficulties they need their community, and they also need our understanding and love. They need us to stop perpetuating the cycle of hate and unacceptance.

I think I might get in trouble for this… ah well :-)