Belleville Pride Parade 2019
The Coronavirus pandemic and the need for responsible physical distancing has meant that many public events which are institutions have simple gone away for 2020. Graduations everywhere are happening online, the Boston and New York marathons have been postponed., and the Toronto Caribbean Festival Parade has ground to a halt.
Of course June is Pride Month and Pride parades have suffered the same fate with some becoming virtual and others cancelled. It's a sad reality because in many communities the parades allow a safe visibility for LGBTQ2 persons and those who support them. Increasingly politicians and faith leaders have shown solidarity. Last year there was a Pride Festival at the conclusion of the parade in Belleville and members of the Trenton United Church to which we belong had a booth to share information about the denominations policies and practices for inclusion.
I saw the Pew Research Center report called The global divide on acceptance of homosexuality which has helpful and revealing graphics about attitudes and shifts around the world and over time. It is sobering to realize that in 68 countries homosexuality is illegal and in some it is punishable by incarceration and even death. Here in Canada 85% of people accept those from the LGBTQ2 community, or at least say they should be accepted -- there is a difference.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on-homosexuality-persists/pg_2020-06-25_global-views-homosexuality_a-01/
Today we can all prayerfully ask what needs to happen in our attitudes and practices to be accepting and inclusive of others in every sphere of life. We can also pray for those who are under threat in the places they live because of sexual orientation. In too many countries Christians are part of the problem rather than active in finding solutions and providing safe havens for those who are stigmatized and persecuted.
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