Why Pride Still Matters

“I’m surprised to see some many people and organizations here,” my sister remarked to me on Saturday as we made our way down 9 Mile for Ferndale’s Pride festival.  As a social worker, my sister, Katie, has spent her professional career advocating on behalf of those who fall through the cracks of society.  From working with domestic violence shelters, families with CPS cases, foster care kids - and more recently - she had been running support groups and counseling/coaching sessions for fellow social worker.  That is, she was until the funding for her work evaporated due to concerns about her job centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  While she was able to secure another position, her ability to talk about many issues that affect social workers or the foster kids that those workers manage has been curtailed.  The workspace now feels hostile: one worker keeps reporting her for discussing matters of a foster kid’s race and gender, even while it is relevant to their identity and care.  Due to these experiences, she had feared that less people would be willing to be seen publicly at Pride.  Even more, she was curious how many corporate sponsors would be at the event given the current hostility towards DEI programs (sexuality and transgender identities fall under the heading of “diversity” for most organizations with DIE programs).  To the surprise of both of us, we had to park a half mile away from downtown and entered a bustling street full of color, glitter, families, and vendors.

In recent years, there was a trend of corporations turning their logos to rainbows during the month of Pride and having a float in the Motor City Pride parade.  Ironically, many of these corporations contributed to the campaigns of people who promoted anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation.  Articles were written about the “corporatization of Pride” and what it would mean to return to the revolutionary roots of Pride.  This year, many corporate sponsors didn’t make an appearance in Ferndale.  A level of respect was given to the companies and organizations that showed up this year because they decided to be visibly pro-LGBTQIA+ when it was not only not trendy, but risky to their public image to do so.  I kept my eyes peeled to see what religious institutions were there.  I saw two synagogues (Congregation Shir Tikvah being one), four churches (First Pres Birmingham & Greenfield Pres included), and one religious organization I could not identify.

All of this made me wonder what it would look like for Northminster to show up with a tent for Pride.  It would be showing up because we cared, not because it was trendy or because it is a good place to snag new members.  What message would we share at our booth?  What message do the people attending need to hear?  Would we be willing to put in the effort to show up, put up a tent, and have volunteers there for the length of the festival?

I know that Pride festivals and parades are often depicted as frivolous parties to those outside of the LGBTQIA+ community - but I saw how much it mattered to my sister on Saturday that people were still willing to show up for her community.  It mattered to see people dressed defiantly and audaciously.  The joy mattered.  Presence mattered.

Happy Pride Month, Northminster.  Thank you for the ways that you have showed up and made room over the years. 
Thank you for the effort you have put in to make sure our rainbow flag hangs proudly for all to see. 
Thank you for creating a community where people of all backgrounds can find a home here. 
Blessings,
Pastor Chris