In the summer of 1969, as Vietnam raged, the Civil Rights Movement intensified and the sexual revolution was amplified, the NYC police raided the Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay bar. This was nothing new. Police often targeted the gay community unjustly. This particular raid incited resistance, protests and retaliation.
Hatred was normal. Violence was common place. Because the judicial system was biased, murder and assault of homosexuals was rarely brought to trial or even investigated.
Why does this matter?
Well, because Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
To be able to love my neighbor as myself, I have to understand my neighbor. I have to make an effort to understand the history of the movement and what became Pride Month.
It was provoked by state endorsed cruelty and violence. And that was wrong. Cruelty is never OK. Unprovoked violence is never OK. Hatred is never godly.
This month, I would like to suggest that Christians stop shouting. Stop protesting. Stop posting mean spirited Facebook posts.
Instead:
Be kind.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Pray for everyone.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Tim. 2:1
Be humble.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
I have found it’s so much easier to just love people instead of trying to change them. I’ll leave that part up to God.
…
Shout out to my husband who inspired this thought. And just to preemptively thwart critics, this wasn’t written to the LGBTQ community, it was written for you.
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