This all began quite innocently with an invitation to advertise in the guide for Capital Pride. In a moment of enthusiasm, we decided to splurge on a half-page invitation. And then came the question, what can we do that will help?
I had that question on my mind when I visited Chautauqua this summer. I was there the week before the brutal attack on Salman Rushdie and Harry Reese, which took place there on the main stage of the amphitheatre – and that has been very much on my mind. It’s a natural step from praying for people to asking God who else needs protecting.
That would be people who are transgendered. Many people don’t even know what that is. And people who identify as transgendered often feel invisible, or they find they are the target for the most relentlessly personal questions. Whether it’s controversy about bathrooms or who can be defined as a woman, there’s so much ignorance and hate – much of it painfully internalized by people in our own families and communities.
Did you know that, according a June article in the New York Times, the number of young people identifying as transgendered has doubled,
"Experts said that young people increasingly have the language and social acceptance to
explore their gender identities, whereas older adults may feel more constrained…
It’s developmentally appropriate for teenagers to explore all facets of their identity —
that is what teenagers do,” said Dr. Angela Goepferd, medical director of the Gender
Health Program at Children’s Minnesota hospital, who was not involved in the new
analysis. “And, generationally, gender has become a part of someone’s identity that is
more socially acceptable to explore.”
We really can help. St John’s roots go deep, leading the rest of the church into supporting
same-sex relationships, HIV and AIDS, same-sex marriage. St John’s has been like yeast and the rest of the dough of the church is pretty much leavened! What remains to be done? Let’s help.
So here’s the theme for our Pride Service:
“Let’s Talk Trans: Supporting Trans Lives - in our families, among our friends, in our
community - Supporting Your Life!” If you’re new to thinking about this, expect an
illuminating presentation on Pride, the current acronym 2SLGBTQQIA+, concrete ways
to be supportive and how it all fits with our faith - plus some fabulous music!
Refreshments immediately following the service and then you’re welcome to join us in
the Capital Pride Parade - or meet us at Kent & Somerset at 1pm. Learn. Reflect. Be
Visible!
That brings us to the pictures. We have two flags, the original rainbow flag as created in 1978 (there are many variations these days), and the trans flag with its pink and pale blue stripes, originally created by Monica Helms, a transgender woman, in 1999.
Please be part of the joyful pictures this Sunday. What’s required: Both flags and your biggest biggest smile. We will be sharing the pictures in our newsletter and social media all week leading up to Pride.
Welcome this Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Please note that this Sunday we will share the
architectural drawings of proposed changes to the St John’s church building. Check them out after the service over refreshments in the Parish Hall.
You’re all very welcome!
Gary+
