Gay Pride/ Episcopal Pride

A day of healing and bonding LGBTQ Episcopalian of the Diocese of NewYork and Diocese of Long Island.

It is an increasing tradition for LGBTQ folks to start and end thecelebrations of Gay Pride in church. Thruought the week, the presenceof LGBTQ Episcopalians was felt in virtually every Pride Celebration,such as the Garden Party, and the endless breakfasts and dinners,vigils, demosntrations and even dances that take part in the City. For many people, Gay Pride day religious services are an opportunityto explore what the church has to offer, and for lots and lots is thevery first contact with an all open, accepting and inclusive churchenvironment. Also, the presence of LG families with babies was muchmore visible this year.

Another interesting thing is how the EpiscopalChurch is the one were many interacial Lesbian and Gay couples can beseen, and actually both partners feel accepted.The Morning service that my lover and I attended was held at the Allinclusive church of the Holy Apostles in the very Gay Chelsea area.Holy aposltes is open and accepting beyond the Sunday services, theyoffer a very generous soup kitchen and space for "Beth-Simcha Tora"the LGBTQ Synagogue of NY. The homily was delivered by MotherElizabeth G. Maxwell and was about how, while many of us are fellingthe pain of the recent events before the closing of generalConvention, the struggle is not over. The complete homily can beenjoyed at http://www.holyapostlesnyc.org/church/sermons/sermons.htm

and a verbatim will be placeed soon on line ofr people to read.The group from church, then, proceded to head to the gathering area,close to Fifth Ave. Many of us noted that the contingents wereconsiderably smaller than last year, whn Bishop Robinson honored uswith his presence. Actually, No bishop marched with us this year.

Tradionally, the churches along Fifth Ave, open their door and scoresof volunteers donate time offering water to the thousands of marchers.Some of the Churches are Marble Collegiate Church (which count withthe largest ministry for LG parents, Saint Thomas Episcopal Church,Ascension Episcopal Church, Fifth Avenue Presbiterian Church...etc.The only one, also traditionally barricated on both sides -their ownside walk and the side walk acccross the street, along the fron ofRockefeller Center- is, off course, Saint Patrick's Cathedral. In thepast, Dignity NY use to stad up to greet people from there... not sureif it is still happening. Saint Patrick's Cathedral is the only oneclosed, barricated and not offering water... or anything else.

Upon our arrival to the Greenwich Village, at the end of the parade,The Episcopal Church of Saint Luke in the Fields open its doors to theMarching Episcopal Churches, and more scores of volunteers donatecheesburgers, juice, snacks and candy. The End of the parade can beseen from the gardens of Saint Luke's, facing Christopher Street.The Even song at Saint Luke in the Fields was -as usual- a moving andlovely service, celebrated by Bishop Katherine Roskam. The homily wasdelivered by The Rev. Martin Smith, from Washington D.C., aboutthe "unfinished" work that we are witnessing in the world as LGBTQpersons, and our responsibility to the future, not the past. theHomily will be soon available to read -and is strongly recomended- atwww.stlukeinthefields.org

finally, just wanted to mention that Many of us marched with a Badgethat read:"My manner of Life presents a challenge to the wider Church"Resoultion B033and through the entire march, services, etc. was a way to identifywith each other, and the most talked about topic in an environmentfull of half naked men and women with beautiful bodies. This was alsothe year that I felt the most cohesion yet among LGBTQ and straightallies from the Episcopal Church.Thank you all for keeping the doors of our churches open for us andthe ones to come... thank you for opening your hearts to everyone."The Episcopal Church Welcomes You"