I attended my very first Pride parade in 2010. The experience was both affirming and shocking. I became aware of my queerness in my 30s, so being part of the wider community was still new to me. Being around thousands of queer and queer-affirming people warmed my heart.
What shocked me, however, was the number of Christian churches marching in support and full acceptance of LGBTQ people. I was raised as a fundamentalist Christian, and none of those churches were at all affirming. Even back then when I identified as a straight fundamentalist Christian their lack of true acceptance of LGBTQ people irked me to the point I had to leave fundamentalism. It simply did not align with the idea of God being just and loving. So seeing so many churches on this day marching in broad daylight boldly proclaiming the love of Christ extended to queer people and our relationships as we are, without requiring us to change or commit to lifelong celibacy, was a revelation to me. Outside of the progressive church I had joined a few years earlier I had never in my life known God’s love to be so expansive and inclusive and unconditional. It was a healing experience I didn’t know I needed.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to a Pride parade, but even as an atheist my favorite part is always the churches. I love knowing there are so many Christians out there who embody the unconditional love and acceptance of God towards LGBTQ people. It gives me hope for the future.
Happy Pride!