Fifty-two years ago, when I was still a child, I met my first same-gender couple. It was 1971. The occasion was a family reunion to which the whole farming community was invited – we’re talking over a hundred folks. There was plenty of food, lots of cousins to play with, and a diverse group of people gathered on my grandparents’ farm.
My mom was introducing me to people within the community – family I hadn’t met, kids within the farming community, and friends of hers from her childhood who still lived in the area.
When introducing two women, she explained to me, “They are together,” meaning it was like they were married. And then she said something that has stuck with me for over half of a century: “Isn’t it great that they found someone to love.” There you have it, my first introduction to same-gender love. I grew up thinking, believing, and seeing same-gender relationships as a good and loving thing.
Obviously, that’s not the way most people were introduced to such love. Hate and fear are usually the dominant emotions that parents teach. And those emotions are strong and dig their heels into the hearts of many.
That’s why it is so important that at The Palms we write about kindness, equity, and inclusion for everyone. We preach compassion, fairness, and radical hospitality for all. And that we demonstrate in our deeds God’s unconditional love, justice, and extravagant welcome.
This Sunday is our special celebration of our ninth year as an Open and Affirming congregation. That’s just church lingo meaning that all people are welcome – you don’t have to look like me, love like me, or think like me – just be who God created you to be. I urge you to join me this Sunday as we celebrate Pride Sunday.
Shalom, Paul