Pentecost, Pride, Protest*

This year is the 50th anniversary year of Stonewall and many have used this history as a call for protest in this day and age where there are so many things and ideas and people who need to be protested.  There has been a refocus on the queer people of color who started the riots and who started the modern day LGBTQ+ rights movements. The same queer people of color who face the greatest hardships still today.

Now I will start by saying others have said that words are not enough, that action is needed too. I completely agree with this but I still think there can be power in a very sharp pen. So here are my reflections on my church and the power of justice movements.

Recent situations in Boystown (one of the predominantly LGBTQ+ areas here in Chicago) have refocused individuals and groups attention to issues of racism which are still present. In too many establishments parts of individuals identities are welcomed but other parts are not. Individuals have to choose if they want to be welcome because of the LGBTQ+ identities or their identities as people of color but rarely are welcomed for both.

In response to the situation, Lighthouse Church of Chicago (My Church which is a predominately African American LGBT inclusive community) has taken to the forefront and has already created a broad coalition. Within a week we have had a protest with 75-100 people attending, a community meeting with 75 people attending, and a meeting after church making sure we have a consensus around moving forward. As our Pastor Jamie Frazier (Pastor J) said we are uniquely placed to be on the more radical edge of this movement because we are not beholden to government money or other such limitations.

As keeps being restated this is not the beginning of a movement this is simply the most recent chapter or volume of the movement. Now we are in the first few weeks where everything seems shiny and possible but sitting in on the various meetings so far I feel a real sense of both energy to do something and a real sense of hope. A sense that we stand on the shoulders of others and that we are not alone in the fight and that we have many allies who will support our efforts. A sense that we are empowered (by the Holy Spirit or God or the Universe or whatever you want to imagine).

I have a sense we really have a good idea of what we can accomplish. As Pastor J says "We can do everything, but only one thing at a time". We stand on earlier chapters of this battle and it shows. Our organizing feels very mature? (not sure the best word), very thoughtful, very energized, very in it for the long hall, and so very possible.

For me a white ace ally, I feel like how I imagine it must have felt like during the early civil rights movement. I am grateful for my church and all its community and denominational allies. There are so many people who want to make a difference and I feel like we have a chance to make that difference. I hope that my skills and talents can be used by others.

Pride started with a protest, this is one protest I am involved with. What protests are you involved with? How can you be an ally to others fighting? What are you going to do this month of pride and going forward? There "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to keep us from justice.

* The title of this weeks post comes from Pastor Jamie Frazier's sermon this morning at Lighthouse Church of Chicago