Happy Pride

They say a picture paints a thousand words. I agree, and would note how photos depict our lives in the key of relationships. I have so many photos! I used to work for Eastman Kodak Company in the professional photography division. With unlimited film and my Nikon fancy camera, I recorded every moment I could. Now, my Iphone is my camera, and I shoot away. Selfies with beloveds, often oddly lit; sneaky pics of the grandchildren; snapshots of sunrises and flowers blooming. I have photos of me and John on so many adventures. I often put myself to sleep by looking at my life in pictures.

When I first moved to Manhattan in 2004, Middle Church on the Lower East Side welcomed me, my passions, my dreams, my hopes, my theology. Pictures from Middle Church over the years show me how much I’ve grown up in these last 22 years, surrounded by lovely lay leaders, incredible clergy who taught me while I taught them, and partners across disciplines who shared our calling to love. period. My first Pride March in June, 2004, was church in the streets. Our gospel choir belted out anthems from a float, while scores of us marched down 5th Avenue. It was a mind-blowing, heart expanding, joy inducing experience.

Season in and season out, I became more aware of how the culture treats Queer people; frankly it baffles and angers me how much the Church causes harm. Simultaneously, I’ve learned how much the sexual orientation or gender expression of my friends in the LGBTQIA+ community add unique and beautiful texture to what it means to love neighbor and self. My friend @Joey Morelli, for example, a transman who was in law enforcement, who is an author and an activist (check out my Instagram for Jacqui and Joey adventures!)took me on the journey of his transition. What an intimate invitation to love this way. My staff, Zayn Silva and Elise Tiralli, teach us every day to examine our binary thinking and how trans people transform our culture. I’ve married dozens of queer couples. And I’ll just say the names of some of my other Queer staff: John Del Cueto, Macky Alston, Joseph Puma, Dionne McClain-Freeney—to honor the particularity of their experiences and what they bring to my life and to Middle Church. I have been queered by these people, my theology stretched and my imagination expanded. For this I am so grateful.

And words fail to describe our Beloved Rainbow Community. Looking out on the people of every tribe and body shape, all the expressions of human sexuality and gender, makes my heart swell with pride. We are not perfect, to be sure, but when we say you are welcome just as you are, we mean it. I am welcome there, and you are welcome, too. Pride Month is every month at Middle Church. If you wonder if there is a place to be loved exactly as you are as you come to the physical or online space, there is. Come do June with Middle Church E 7th Street, middlechurch.org for online church. It will be a joy!

I want to pause a moment to remind us that Pride Month has its origins in the bigotry of policing, the targeting of gay folk at Stonewall, and how those brave and beautiful souls fought back on June 28, 1969. Pride begins in resistance. A year later, the Pride March honored their determination to live fully and authentically. Pride is celebration and resistance. As an ally, I am committed to both. Of the thousands of images I have on Iphone and in the cloud, here are just a few snapshots of my beloved, queer siblings. I offer this collage with thanks.

Love you!

Jacqui