Why Pride Matters to Me as a Straight Christian Woman
Pride is not just about who you love or how you identify; it’s about the courage to be yourself in a society that frequently pressures you to keep parts of yourself hidden. This is a struggle I know well.
For several years, I was quietly LGBTQ+ affirming. It was a huge deal for me to change my mind, and yet it was easy–truly. I read Torn 1 by Justin Lee in 2013. This book shared Justin’s personal experience of growing up in the evangelical church, knowing from a young age that he was same-sex attracted. Although Justin advocated for room for disagreement, his personal stance was that monogamous same-sex relationships are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and that any verses against homosexuality don’t relate to our modern conceptions of relationships.
His story challenged me because I had always grown up believing that being gay is a sin. After reading and agreeing with this book the summer of 2013, it still took me two full years to admit, out loud to myself (in my journal) that I wasn’t sure that homosexuality was a sin. It took me many more years after that to ever say that out loud to someone else or to understand the concept of allyship and why it matters. I didn’t have the words to define it at the time, but I was beginning my deconstruction journey.
Partly, I didn’t think it mattered if I, a veritable nobody, was outspoken about changing my mind. And partly, I knew I would be seen differently by my evangelical community if I said it out loud. So for years, I kept quiet. I didn’t think Pride had anything to do with me. I have come to learn that it really matters that straight Christian allies are outspoken in our support of our LGBTQ+ siblings. And, as I navigated my own spiritual path of self-acceptance, I have learned so much from them.
It’s important to note that Pride began as an annual remembrance of the Stonewall Rebellion, which happened on June 28, 1969 which in many ways catalyzed the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement. While Pride has evolved to become a celebration of the queer community, it’s still important to continue to reflect on the inequities present in society and fight for justice.