Today begins Equality Forum Week in Philadelphia. This is a week long cultural, political, and social festival to celebrate, honor, and continue the struggles of the LGBT community for equal rights under the law and in society. It's organizers over a decade ago placed this celebration in Philadelphia because Philadelphia was the site of the first public and organized march/protest by LGBT persons and supporters nearly two years before the more famous Stonewall incident in New York City.
The Rainbow flag was adopted by the LGBT community. The Alyson Almanac: A Treasury of Information for the Gay and Lesbian Community describes Rainbow Flag as follows:
In 1978, Gilbert Baker of San Francisco designed and made a flag with six stripes representing the six colors of the rainbow as a symbol of gay and lesbian community pride. Slowly the flag took hold, offering a colorful and optimistic alternative to the more common pink triangle symbol. Today it is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers, and is flown in lesbian and gay pride marches worldwide. In 1989, the rainbow flag received nationwide attention after John Stout successfully sued his landlords in West Hollywood, when they prohibited him from displaying the flag from his apartment balcony. Meanwhile, Baker is still in San Francisco, and still making more flags. (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/scotts/bulgarians/rainbow-flag.html)
Yesterday, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County dedicated their new rainbow flag as a welcoming and affirming community. The local MCC and our own St. Mary of Grace Church, with our Bishop Timothy, were part of the celebration. I was honored to give the benediction. Part of the benediction is reprinted here for your consideration and reflection:
"O Light within us and beyond us, you consist and call forth the magnificent colors of the rainbow-
RED-the color of the blood shed by so many before us for being who they were
ORANGE-the color of a sun rise announcing the a new day of hope
YELLOW-the color of warming love of all who stand with us and our partnerships
GREEN-the color of the creative energies that mark our community
BLUE-the color of the oceans' depths; sign of our integrity
PURPLE-the color of sorrow for we are not yet where we should or belong to be.
May the color we each contribute from our person hood: gay, straight, male, female, transgendered, blend in community and common struggle and active love to create a light to dispel the darkness of fear and hate."
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2 comments:
Amen to this beautiful prayer! And blessings on the week's activities in celebration of the walk toward justice.
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