THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022, PRIDE MONTH

 THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022 PRIDE MONTH

Today is the last day of June.  That also means it is the last day of Pride Month - a month set aside for LGBTQ+ - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and whoever else.  

Okay, I am a woman - the “T” part of the LGBTQ acronym - transgender.  I rarely write about LBGTQ+ issues or activities.  I guess they all fit into the LOVE WINS and LOVE ONE ANOTHER concepts.  

We all are made in the image of God.  To me, that is a foundational truth.  Whatever God is - infinite, eternal, all-loving, all-powerful, Spirit, merciful - and every other positive attribute.  

And, (guess what), NONE OF US IS PERFECT!!  (Least of all - me).  

I (really “we”) am in a classroom - learning how to live every day.  Do I like that person?  Can I LOVE that person (agape love)?  I am aging, and I am changing.  

We say change is inevitable.  Can we change to be more loving?  

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(Oops - into politics)

Recently one of the two major political parties in Texas adopted the following as platform statements:

“ Homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice.”

“ We oppose all efforts to validate transgender identity”

“We oppose the use of taxpayer funds for any type of medical gender dysphoria treatments or sex-change operations and/or treatments. This includes but is not limited to military personnel as well as inmates in federal, state, or local prisons or jails. Inmates must be housed according to their biological sex. No Federal, state, insurance, or probate monies may be allocated for the use of such treatment.”

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Now platform statements are like a religious creed - something that the political party stands for.  This particular party aligns with the viewpoint that Pride Month, that lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are “abnormal”.  

If this particular party would have stated that “Black citizens are inferior”, there would be righteous indignation.  If this particular party would have stated that “Adherents to the Islamic faith are contrary to American beliefs and historical foundations”, there would be less indignation.  And, marking LGBTQ people as “abnormal” is a difficult platform for those of the Pride persuasion.

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Throughout history, various groups have been demeaned as inferior, worthless, or just plain wrong.  Only white, male, landowners were the early American voters.  Eventually, Blacks, women, Hispanics, and others were allowed to vote.  

I view this platform statement as appealing to a narrow-minded constituency - that might not quite adapt to a “very conservative Christian” faction.  I find it interesting that Christians (who are told to love one another, to turn the other cheek, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison) seem to be quick to denounce alternative lifestyles.  

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So, as one of the people that identify as  LGBTQ, I find a sizable opposition to me (at least from Texans that agree that “ Homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice.” and that “transgender identity” is invalid).  

I also find that for me - I AM TO LOVE THEM - even though I may not agree with their platform.  They are sincere in their opposition to LGBTQ people (as an “abnormal” lifestyle).  

I John 2:9-11 says:

“If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”

My guess is that almost all adults personally know at least one LGBTQ person - that person might even be a relative or a close friend.  Maybe it is a co-worker (in the academic world, I know several LBGTQ people); maybe it is a student (likewise, I had students that fit that criteria).  Maybe it is an ally - a person that believes that “all men are created equal” (men meaning all people) and wants to stand up for these values.  

I am taking “LOVE ONE ANOTHER” to be a valid command by my first-century Jewish Rabbi.  I also take “Love your neighbor as yourself” as another valid command.  (And, the story this Jewish Rabbi told about ‘who is my neighbor’ and the neighbor he chose for his story was a Samaritan - a “half-breed” Jewish person who was generally hated by traditional Jews.)

The image I used today says "Say No to Hate"!!!

So, Happy Pride Month - we are all in this together.   And, I am happy to be an LGBTQ person!!

LOVE DOES WIN!!

Karen

June 30, 2022