The call of the Rainbow Flag…
My name is Jim MacDonald and it’s my very first time writing an article for the Religion Today section of the Times and Transcript. I wanted to talk about an important event that is coming up in Moncton just one week from today. Pride Week 2016 begins in Moncton on Saturday, August 13th and will continue until Sunday, August 21st. This year will be the third time in which people from some Moncton churches will be ‘coming out of the closet’ about the fact that they are Christians and are at the same time completely affirming of different sexual orientations and gender identities.
Back in the summer of 2014 the congregation that I serve was in the midst of a two year educational process which would, among other things, help our congregation continue learning, evolving and moving past former prejudices and misconceptions about sexual orientations and gender identities. As part of that educational process we invited a former Monctonian to come speak at a Sunday service. His name was Bill Ryan – a professor of Social Work at McGill University in Montréal. He is also an international expert in the field of sexuality, sexual education, homophobia, health, and gay men’s health. He has conducted research in all these areas, published scientific articles, chapters and edited books. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ryan_(professor)
Bill Ryan has an amazing ability for communicating with people. What a day of learning it was for all who came. With Bill Ryan being well known and respected in this region there were many visitors. After the service I met visitors from Moncton’s River of Pride. They remarked that they were really taken with the fact that a church would be hosting such an important learning opportunity on a Sunday morning. They encouraged us to consider flying the Rainbow Flag in our sanctuary during Pride Week that year. They also invited us to come join the Pride parade later that month. We accepted both invitations and invited people from other congregations in our presbytery (regional body) to join in the parade as they were able. Many came along.
Participating in the Pride parade for the two past years has helped me realize yet again just how many wonderful people, organizations, businesses and churches it takes to contribute to the health and well-being of any region. As churches continue evolving in their understanding and affirmation of different sexual orientations and gender identities, it’s important to know that in Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick there are helpful resources and encouraging people who can assist the process. We have received help and encouragement from Moncton’s River of Pride, the Moncton chapter of PFLAG Canada, UBU Atlantic Transgender Action Committee, the Salvus Clinic and SIDA/AIDS Moncton – just to name a few. There are also excellent educational resources available from the Public Health Agency of Canada (www.publichealth.gc.ca/sti).
For me, as a leader in a faith community, the Rainbow flag represents a call to responsibility and accountability. I feel that if churches have helped contribute to certain prejudices and misunderstandings historically then churches now have a responsibility for providing up-to-date education and for helping bring an end to these same prejudices and misunderstandings. As Pride Week 2016 commences a week from now I want to acknowledge and thank all the organizations and their allies who are helping many to evolve in a healthy way regarding different sexual orientations and gender identities. Thank you for your persistent patience and peaceful ways of doing what you do.