PRIDE, By Bishop Dr. Allyson Abrams
As an openly gay bishop, I have often wondered what many people feel about PRIDE. Often times when you speak to those in the Christian church, they have lots of mixed feelings about persons saying they have PRIDE in who they are.
So what is PRIDE about for many today? Is having pride just about beautiful pride flags, pride symbols or sporting rainbow colors?
As I think about all the beauty that is displayed down main streets in cities all over the world, I wondered what it took to get so many people to the point of being authentic and not being afraid to share with the world who they are. Reflecting on the LGBTQ+ citizens from the pastoral counseling perspective, I understand many persons have historic trauma due to being rejected, being outcast, being denied love, and even being told that God does not love them. This historic trauma runs through the veins of many in the LGBTQ+ community and many will never speak with a therapist or counselor, yet it impacts their daily lives. I attended the pride celebration and pride festival in Washington DC (Capital Pride), where World Pride will be held in 2025. As I walked around with a shirt with rainbow colors, I was reminded of how much pain there really is In the LGBTQ+ community – even amid the smiling faces, twisting and twerking of body parts. Members of the LGBTQ+ community want to be happy, want to be seen as normal, and not continually hear that something is wrong and that God doesn’t love them. It’s unfortunate that rarely do person find peace in the gay community while amidst those in the heterosexual religious communities.
I was asked to pray for a young man during PRIDE. (I think this was a FIRST)! His mother was in town supporting him and she believed it was important once she found out I was a pastor, for me to pray for her son and ask for God’s protection. As I prayed for him tears streamed down his face and he wept as if no one had prayed for him in a long time. Afterwards he hugged me and said that was exactly what he needed.
Let us during this PRIDE season examine ourselves to ponder if we have brought tears to someone with our words, if we have caused hurt to someone with the scriptures that we have clobbered them with, or if we were the persons who caused them to leave God’s church. How did we impact their mental health or continue to bring trauma in their lives? I hope that we can come to a place where we will see that God has created everyone. God created us all in God’s image and likeness. We have all been fearfully and wonderfully made. God is in our differences! God has blessed our diversities! Let us celebrate all of the differences and the wonderful ways that God has created us. We are better together. God loves us all. As we walk in our truth, let us embrace those who have experienced difficulties walking in theirs. HAPPY PRIDE!