June Newsletter
“[L]earn to do good; seek justice,
rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
“We will seek justice and advocate
redress of the wrongs committed against sexual minorities in our local
community and in society at large.” (our church’s Statement of Openness and
Affirmation)
June is “Gay Pride Month” and Pride events are open to
everyone. GLBT friends have told me that Pride events are like a window into a
new world, where they don’t have to be afraid that someone will take offense at
them. What kind of a world is that? It sounds to me like a kingdom of God kind
of world, a world where everyone has enough of everything that makes for life,
and no one is degraded, down-graded or oppressed.
With the anti-gay constitutional amendment coming on the
November ballot, this must be a particularly stressful time to be GLBT in
Minnesota. Now more than ever we allies need to come out of our closets.
An ally is a person who stands up to the neighbor who makes
a rude or ignorant comment about sexual orientation. An ally is a person who
says, “I am voting no on that amendment because no one benefits from it, and
good people will be hurt by it.” An ally is a person who will speak up for
justice, stand up to bullies, and defend the victims of hate.
Now is not a time to whisper or mutter under the breath, now
is the time to speak up. Now is the time to learn to do good, seek justice,
rescue the oppressed. Now is the time for advocates. Everybody, say it strong
and say it loud, “I’m an Ally, and I’m proud!”
Amen.
