On Friday it will be IDAHO – the International Day
Against Homophobia and Transphobia. MCC Newcastle will be at the Civic Centre, along with other community groups. The rainbow flag will be raised and there will be stalls and speeches to mark this important day.
In the UK, homophobic bullying, ignorance and prejudice are still issues. Internationally, thousands of LGBT people live in fear of their lives. The state either condones violence towards our sisters and brothers, or turns a blind eye when it happens. Rainbow Home, our joint project with MESMAC, offers a safe space to LGBT people who are seeking asylum in this country. They have fled where they were born and
brought up, because to remain there put their lives at risk.
This week, I was reading something written by our Moderator, Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson. She was wondering what would happen if, on one day, everyone in the world who is LGBT all turned purple. Celebrities, politicians, homophobes, footballers, children, everyone. Just imagine what that would be like. How powerful could that be, if we could all see each other? How powerful could it be
for those who wish to oppress us, to see us in strength and
number?
This is why events like IDAHO and Pride are really important.
They are an opportunity for us to gather together in strength and number. It is an opportunity for those who are still struggling with their sexuality or in the closet to see that they are not alone. It also shows those who would harm us
that they cannot pick us off one by one. There are too many of us.
In the midst of this we stand, as a faith community, offering even more. We witness to a loving and amazing God, who created and loves each of us, just as we are. This second “coming out” is as important as the first. It can also be equally challenging. It takes courage to stand on our stall and offer people a different perspective from what they generally pick up in the media. Many people are indifferent, some are hostile or curious. For a few though, we make a difference to the rest of our lives. That is an amazing gift to be able to offer someone.
Please pray for Suzanne and her team this Friday, as they are “out and proud” for IDAHO.
God bless,
Cecilia
Against Homophobia and Transphobia. MCC Newcastle will be at the Civic Centre, along with other community groups. The rainbow flag will be raised and there will be stalls and speeches to mark this important day.
In the UK, homophobic bullying, ignorance and prejudice are still issues. Internationally, thousands of LGBT people live in fear of their lives. The state either condones violence towards our sisters and brothers, or turns a blind eye when it happens. Rainbow Home, our joint project with MESMAC, offers a safe space to LGBT people who are seeking asylum in this country. They have fled where they were born and
brought up, because to remain there put their lives at risk.
This week, I was reading something written by our Moderator, Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson. She was wondering what would happen if, on one day, everyone in the world who is LGBT all turned purple. Celebrities, politicians, homophobes, footballers, children, everyone. Just imagine what that would be like. How powerful could that be, if we could all see each other? How powerful could it be
for those who wish to oppress us, to see us in strength and
number?
This is why events like IDAHO and Pride are really important.
They are an opportunity for us to gather together in strength and number. It is an opportunity for those who are still struggling with their sexuality or in the closet to see that they are not alone. It also shows those who would harm us
that they cannot pick us off one by one. There are too many of us.
In the midst of this we stand, as a faith community, offering even more. We witness to a loving and amazing God, who created and loves each of us, just as we are. This second “coming out” is as important as the first. It can also be equally challenging. It takes courage to stand on our stall and offer people a different perspective from what they generally pick up in the media. Many people are indifferent, some are hostile or curious. For a few though, we make a difference to the rest of our lives. That is an amazing gift to be able to offer someone.
Please pray for Suzanne and her team this Friday, as they are “out and proud” for IDAHO.
God bless,
Cecilia
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