Happy Pride Month from SDA Kinship

The best thing about being old(er) is that you have seen and experienced a lot. I can still remember when the Stonewall riots took place. I lived on the opposite side of the United States, but the word "gay" caught my attention. I was 10 years old. I couldn't let on that I was interested, but yet, I knew that somehow I was connected to what was happening.

I also felt the conflict that this was creating in my life and the line in the sand that had been drawn. Would I be on the side of the church that I loved but condemned this "new" phenomenon or would I cheer on the rights of these individuals? I tried to file it deep away and not let anyone know that I cared. I remember the Voice of Prophesy came out with a pamphlet for teens about homosexuality. I wrote in and requested it, but I also requested several others as well: drugs, music, etc. That way it wouldn't be as suspicious if someone saw the gay one. I was doing "research" on all these topics that were "not" a part of my life. I didn't agree with the pamphlet, but I didn't know what to believe. I just knew what I felt and that I didn't choose my feelings and they weren't going away no matter how much I prayed.

I remember when they first started talking about the gay parades to commemorate the Stonewall riots. All I knew was that it was a place where a LOT of gay folks would be. I heard about the half naked leather-men, & the topless “dykes on bikes”. It made me curious. Was it really as sinful as the media was making it out to be? As a former wannabe pastor, I wanted to find out... “for research”.

It was only years later that I was able to go to my first parade. I was scared to death, but excited too, by what I might experience. It turned out to be a wonderful experience. There were no naked folks, but there were tons of people who were part of my tribe. Every shape, size and interest was represented there. A few years later, I would be participating in the Dallas parade with a Kinship entry and having people cheering us on. It was magical.

Now I love wishing folks Happy Pride. The celebrations used to be mainly in June, but now Pride celebrations take place throughout the year with June still being the kickoff of the official Pride Season. Pride isn't about being arrogant. It isn't about sex. It is about community. Much like SDA Kinship... creating a safe community.

If you have never been to a Pride event, I invite you to grab a friend and go attend a parade or a park festival celebrating pride. Happy Pride! Celebrate who you are. Trying to be something, or someone, you aren't never ends well.

Just be you and be proud of the you that you are!

Floyd Poenitz,

President

info@sdakinship.org