The gay paradigm.

Ephesians 4:1-6

          Christmas time is fast approaching, do you recall what it was like to have a new toy? How about rediscovering an old toy? When I realized I was gay, I wanted to immerse myself in the gay community. I wanted to know everything about it. It wasn't just the all embracing LGBTQ, it was everything about being gay.  Gay art, gay theatre, gay people, gay causes. Everything. I soon realized how wide a range there is within the gay community and frankly, some of it did not interest me in the least. Not that there's anything wrong with it, we all have preferences. I was more astounded by the expansiveness of the gay community. Here we are, all under this one umbrella. 

          In this way, perhaps it is easier for some in the gay community to understand and appreciate the diversity in the rest of the world and in particular, religions. There is one body and one Spirit whether we are speaking of being gay or the fact that humanity is all connected by one creator. We can erect walls and barriers, we can try to create certainty that we are better than "them" or they we are right and "they" are wrong but it will never be the truth. We are all brothers and sisters, all " a brotha from anotha motha".

            It is perhaps more difficult for the straight community to realize how diverse we all are, to appreciate it, understand it and embrace it.  There is comfort in numbers even if you are wrong. Religions, nationalities and sexual orientations combine to form groups for comfort that makes them feel right and also so they have power.  They may have power and be wrong.  So many religions have shown how wrong hearted and wrong minded this concept is. Whether it is the attempted extinction of native Americans being spoken of, the inquisition and crusades or countless other examples of  'my way or the highway' on a grand scale. It is not just religious, it's also political.

           In the gay community we know diversity and while each avenue of expression may not be our cup of tea, we accept it and acknowledge each one's right to find happiness and expression.  What the gay community has not had is power. One of the reasons the gay community has made so many strides in these last few years is not because we are always right, it is the power that is wielded by combining our forces. For all intents and purposes, each and every part of the LGBTQ community is a minority. By respecting each other and knowing that there is one body and one Spirit, and joining forces we actually offer humanity a vision of what the world should be, diverse, accepting and loving.

           Always work in all humility, gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are all brothers and sisters on this orb we call earth. We are all brothers and sisters, children of the same God.

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.