June is known around the world as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. What some of you may not know is “Pride” started as a series of spontaneous demonstrations at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, June 28, 1969 - July 3, 1969. Pride literally stemmed from LGBTQ+ fighting to protest the injustices facing our community. More specifically it began as a protest of police brutality aimed at the people in this community. I believe it is important to recognize that this charge was led by transgender women of color and began as something much more and much different than a party.
Don’t get me wrong, I love pride month with the festivities, the unapologetic energy, the joy, the color, the celebration, the community - all of it!! I want Pride Month every month. I just want us to always remember how we got here, be thankful for those who came before us and paved the way. I especially want to raise awareness around the fact that it was the transgender women of color that spearheaded this movement.
Be proud of who you are 365 days a year!!
God of LOVE, we thank you for the Spirits who were trailblazers, moving and shaking people’s hearts and minds. Stir up in us that same energy of those who helped pave the way for where our LGBTQ+ siblings are today. May we never stop expanding the borders of love and acceptance for queer, brown, and black bodies.
In Your Mercy | Hear Our Prayer
Compassionate Jesus, on the days where this work of justice and reconciliation feel like too much, help lighten our load. Soften our hearts to welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, in all of the bodies in which they encompass. Teach us to learn and relearn, with humility and excitement. In Your Mercy | Hear Our Prayer Creator God, we marvel in awe of the expansiveness of your creation. Your margins of diversity are boundless, and for that, we thank you. Each of our beloved LGBTQ+, brown, and black siblings are beautifully and wonderfully made, all in Your image. Teach us to love people, just as they are, and embrace their identity fully, as you have embraced us. In Your Mercy | Hear Our Prayer Weaver of Justice, let us be your hands and feet! May we follow the Spirits lead and work for justice and equity for our LGBTQ+, brown, and black siblings. In prayer we say Black Lives Matter, that our LGBTQ+ siblings are made in your image, and we are committed to your ministry of reconciliation. In Your Mercy | Hear Our Prayer Blessings, Mtr. Teresa+