MONDAY, JULY 12, 2023 PRIDE MONTH

 MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 - PRIDE MONTH

Recently in the local Georgetown newspaper (which I don’t take) was something like this:

“Can anybody tell me what is the big deal about LGBTQ Pride Month?”

That’s a good question.  I somewhat reluctantly am a part of the LGBTQ group.  I don’t want to be “in anybody’s face” and push “my agenda” on anybody.  I’m a human being first, then a person with a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, then an educated person and retired educator.  At some point, I might identify myself as a woman - a female - and (gasp) as a transgender female). 

At various times in various blogs over the past five years, I’ve alluded to how my brain reacted to my serious aorta surgery and how I found a “happy place” in thoughts of being a woman.  I have many online transgender friends who say “I’ve always known I was a woman in a man’s body”.  That wasn’t quite the case for me.

But, that isn’t really today’s topic.  Taking my lot in life as a woman that fits into the LGBTQ specification, I guess I’m part of “Pride Month” - which might be similar to saying on July 4th, I”m part of the United States, or on March 17th, I’m part of the Irish community.  

I read that about 10% of the population somehow identifies as LGBTQ.  Now if we extend that - I have an ex-wife, two children, and five grandchildren. They might be called my sphere of living.  I have one sister and various cousins and relatives.  I have a lot of former students that might somehow be in my sphere of living.

I’ve seen grandparents who either (a) accept and love their LGBGTQ grandchildren, or (b) have disowned them and don’t allow them to visit or interact.  I’ve experienced my own two wonderful children shunning me, and I haven’t seen my five grandchildren in five years.  

I’ve been called names, I’ve been told I am going to hell, I’ve been told I can’t use the ladies' restroom.  I’ve been sworn at.  

*****

If you have read this blog in the past, you know I emphasize LOVE WINS in an “agape” love approach.  Agape love is described as “In Christianity, agape is "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". 

I’ve used some statements “I can only love God as much as the person I love the least”.  I am to love every person.  I highlight the scriptures “What does God expect of you, but to Love Justice, Show Mercy, and Walk humbly with your God”.  (Micah 6:8), or “Love the Lord your God with all your mind, soul, heart, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself”.  (Mark 12:30).  “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2)

I claim to follow a first-century teacher and rabbi who said “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ... And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

This rabbi (named Jesus) had some other troubles:  “Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him. (Matthew 26:67) - and finally, they killed him.  

And ….. This Jesus said, “Love one another, Love your enemies”.  And, even in his last hour said “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”. 

******

Do you know: “the ACLU reports there are currently 491 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being floated around the U.S” (June 1, 2023).  

For some reason, people don’t want us around.  Or - put a different way, people hate us - with the US being LGBTQ people.

So, back to the original statement:

“Can anybody tell me what is the big deal about LGBTQ Pride Month?”

My answers are (most simply) because LOVE WINS.  We (at least in my estimation) want to say “We love you”, and “We accept you”.  

The Black community used non-violence actions - sit in, marches, and rallies. Pride marches are non-violent actions, Pride Month is for a group that is being harassed (491 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation is pretty significant).  

Loving in God’s ways (agape love) is the ultimate for me.  I keep trying.  I “have to” love.  I’m trying not to allow hate in my life.  

Maybe marching in a Pride Parade is like Rosa Parks refusing to sit in the back of the bus (the front seats in the bus were for white patrons). 

There are other celebrations on our calendars - most are a single day - St. Patrick’s Day, Columbus Day, Norwegian Independence Day, Martin Luther King Day, and Juneteenth Day.  There are some month celebrations - like Black History Month.  

Is equality a good thing?  I think so.  So, why not have Pride Month.

LOVE WINS

LOVE IS FREEDOM

LOVE TRANSFORMS

GOD IS LOVE

KAREN ANNE WHITE, JUNE 12, 2023

(No, you didn’t ask, and I really don’t have to tell you, but I did have “Gender Confirmation Surgery” so using a restroom for men just isn’t going to work for me)