It’s a Colorful Life Part 3: Prideful

C’mon, you didn’t see this coming?
If this is going to offend you or make you say nasty things to me, don't read it.  I won't be offended. I support the LDS church and ALL of it's teachings.  I also like Gay people and parties.  I don't know how it all works out, but I know that God knows and works in mysterious ways.


Tobias Funke, pilot episode of Arrested Development
This weekend was Pride in San Francisco.  As in Gay Pride.  Gay Pride is a weekend event with tons of gay-celebrating events, some glittery, some political, some over the top and obscene, and some respectful and tasteful.  It’s a colorful time of year.
This year Mormons were walking in the Gay Pride Parade. 
Wha-what?  The Mormons?  As in, church attending, temple going, holding callings MORMONS?!  Yes.  Mormons.  At least 100 of them, from what I’ve been told.
But how is this compatible?  How can someone follow the doctrine and sustain the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and still support Marriage Equality?
 
Here’s what Mormons for Marriage Equality is all about: M4ME Press Release
in specifics:

“This group was formed to appeal specifically to a broad group of Mormons that are both active and inactive in church activity; who not only feel that culturally we as Mormons could do a better job reaching out to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community, but who are also increasingly comfortable taking a public political stand for equality.   

We recognize that many Mormons increasingly feel a desire to support marriage equality, but are unconsciously waiting for validation from other Mormons who are comfortable in that position.  Many have experienced a ‘mighty change of heart’ as they have personally witnessed the impact of marriage discrimination in LGBTQ families.  To that end, the spirit of the mission statement, messaging, and signs used in the event were directly focused on a clear statement that we, as Mormons, support marriage equality.

An important element of our shared values is the following:

Mormons for Marriage Equality bears no ill will toward the LDS Church nor its members whose opinions differ from ours.  While we stand for marriage equality, we do not stand against any church or person.” 

This, in my opinion, does not state that I disagree with how the Prophet nor the Twelve Apostles or any other leadership within the church handled Prop. 8.  I believe they were divinely inspired and, after counseling with my very wise Bishop at the time, supported their inspiration with action.  I spent a lot of time on my knees about this particular subject.  My resolution was “God knows all.”  I don’t know why God led the prophets in that particular direction, but I know that He knows better than I.  Personally, I try to follow the Law of Chastity, but my attitude toward Gay politics is like my attitude toward Women’s Rights:  Pro-choice, pro-life.  I don’t judge nor prevent others from their choices, I merely follow the dictates of my own conscience.

Proud to call both of you my friends, Juni and Tina.  Thanks for going!
That said, if there’s a party to celebrate people being happy with who they are Count. Me. In. 
The night before the Pride Parade was the Pink Party.  It’s a block party thrown by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (thanks Ellie).  The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, according to their website is: 

a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.

That’s a pretty good Sisterhood, in my opinion.  Here’s me with some nuns:

I can get behind this kind of fabulousness.  For once I feel under adorned.
The Pink Party has good and bad parts.  I am not a fan of the Raunch Culture in Gaydom any more than I am a fan of Raunch Culture anywhere else.  I consider sex to be sacred and cannot see any place in the public realm appropriate to be accosted with giant penises and that crap.  Have you read Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy?  Basically it’s the thesis that strip clubs and the upsurgence of pornography in society is (as it has always been) immoral and degrading.  Can’t we all celebrate Love without being obscene?  While there was a bit of that, mostly it was just a big friendly street party.  I felt safe and there was good food and good music and everybody just out having fun in the city I love.

By the Castro Theater

One of Three DJ Booths

There were some sensational costumes.  It was a feast for the eyes!  Where can I buy those fabulous earrings?
I’ve been to a few Gay-sponsored events before, but the feeling at this event was really positive.  People were chatty and polite, and also there was Crème Brulee.

I know all this Pride stuff isn’t everybody’s cup of decaffeinated herbal lukewarm tea.  But being from the Bay Area and reconciling the appreciation for diversity I learned at my lovely hippie school with the gospel I love so well is not an easy thing to do.  I hope I haven’t turned you off by letting you in to my corner of politics, I rarely blog about politics.  But you guys know me by now, right?  And if you are horribly disgusted that I would celebrate with Le Gays, then may the bridges I burn light the way.