Our Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is issuing an apology today which is in some respects the fulfillment of a decision made by his father, Pierre, who was PM in another era. It was actually while the senior Trudeau was justice minister in 1967 that he proposed decriminalizing "homosexual acts' performed in private. He told reporters that "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation," a phrase which was controversial at the time and has remained in the Canadian consciousness for the past 50 years.
Trudeau the Younger will officially apologize to those in public service who lost their jobs and were often publicly humiliated for what was deemed illegal activity of living out their sexuality. Some were convicted of crimes, going to jail or designated as sexual offenders.
It is an ongoing shame that institutions and individuals condemned and ostracized members of the LGBTQ community for so long. Churches often led the way in this prejudice, and still do. One congregation I served had a woman minister years before I came who lived in the manse with her female friend. As the United Church began the conversation about the place of gays and lesbians in the denomination some folk spoke to me about this, sympathetically, realizing that they probably forced a loving couple into a covert relationship. In other congregations I discovered after my arrival that there were LGBTQ candidates who were the source of extensive conversation. Would calling them cause division in the church? I hope I was called because I was the most suitable candidate rather than a suitable candidate who was a white, married male with children.
Today's apology is more than earnest words. Yesterday the feds announced that 100 million dollars will be available to those whose livelihoods and careers were curtailed or extinguished. Some claim that the prejudices weren't just a thing of the past, that the "pink ceiling" existed into the 21st century. Neither the apology nor the money will be enough, but both matter.
Part of today's apology will be the commitment to expunge the criminal records of those who convicted on grounds that no longer exist in Canadian law. This will be a considerable challenge, even though it is a worthy endeavor. Read the excellent article by Steven Maynard, a lecturer at Queen’s University, to discover why. http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/trudeau-apology-1.4422195
What are your thoughts today? Is this apology worthwhile, or it just another Canadian saying sorry? What else do we need to do in faith communities to accept responsibility for the sins of exclusion and persecution?
I think in churches we need to go beyond an apology, and invite all into our life together.
ReplyDeleteIt's been my privilege to have benefited (along with everyone else) from the active love and support of folk from the LGBTQ community, in the life of the church. Without their contributions, our church would have been very much, if not fatally, diminished.
Very true Frank. I have appreciated exceptional LGBTQ co-workers and colleagues through the years.
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