Three years ago I worked up the courage to attend my first Pride celebration. I wasn’t necessarily nervous about attending so much as before then I’d never really felt like it was my place. I followed what was happening in the places I was living and was interested in the celebrations but honestly didn’t know how my attendance would be received. Not being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, but being an ally, I really thought Pride was more for those within the community than for anyone. It wasn’t until that hot June day in 2022, when I donned my ‘You Are So Loved’ t-shirt, rainbow eyeshadow and pink tulle skirt (because of course I had to dress for the occasion!) I learned that Pride is a celebration of love and everyone is invited!
In 2023, my learning about Pride deepend. It was the first year a group from our church was a part of the Pride celebration. We marched together in the parade behind our First on Fifth banner proudly proclaiming ‘Y’all are Beloved!’ and handed out similar stickers to those in the crowd. As we got started walking I couldn’t help but to worry about naysayers that might be in the crowd and what they might think or do about our church being a part of the celebration. It wasn’t long into our walking down 4th Street that I began to notice something else – the tears in the eyes of many as our group walked past. It hit me that our being a part of the parade mattered. Our presence might be offering a little bit of healing to those who had been wounded and beaten down by the institutional church for being who God created them to be. I couldn’t help but cry as we continued down the parade route, wishing everyone a happy pride and giving hope to some as they saw a Baptist church celebrating who they are and reminding them of their belovedness.
This Saturday we will again gather to celebrate Pride with our Winston Salem Community. If you’ve never been, maybe this is the year you join the celebration. It is a beautiful day of celebrating love and of being exactly who God created each one of us to be. It is also an opportunity for us, First Baptist on Fifth, to put into practice our claim of “bold love of God and neighbor.” Our presence signifies to the LGBTQIA+ folks in our community that indeed, “We say with fierce gladness: all are created in God’s image, and all are unconditionally beloved” (Confession of Identity). I invite you to join us in sharing this bold and boundless love!
-Mary
