PRIDE

Being a person who likes colorful things, I did not hesitate to purchase a large umbrella with a bright panel for each color of the rainbow. Feeling very happy about my acquisition, I did not skip a beat when my college-age daughter asked with a smile if I had gay pride. Yes! I proclaimed.

Her question sunk deeper into my consciousness and offered an opportunity for reflection. While personally I am a straight woman, I am proud of my gay friends and how they stand in their own truth with both a poise and a strength that I am not sure I possess. I am proud of gay couples that made a lifetime commitment of love long before the government said it was legal. I am proud of the national efforts made to change society’s understanding of this basic human right to be one’s self.

This last weekend rainbow parades filled the streets of cities across the United States to shed shame and walk with pride. Call To Action’s Program Outreach Associate, Aaron Bianco, participated in Pride events in San Diego. He passed out Call To Action family prayer cards and talked to people. But mostly he listened. "It was obvious people are searching for a place to fit in, that they can call their church community. I heard this over and over again, ‘I like my parish BUT I didn't now I could also belong to a group that would build me up.’" While Call To Action educates, inspires, and activates, it also works to build inclusive communities. Regardless if we are gay or straight, we find strength, understanding and compassion when we come together; God is in our midst. That is something to be proud of.