Pride

 

In case you're wondering, the following sermonette was inspired by an article I read on Huffington Post today where the central thesis is that PRIDE is for kinky queer people: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pro-gay-christian-groups-pride_n_6480b1fae4b0756ff85af213   You know I cringe at the normalization of "queer" because to those of us who grew up with it as a slur, it's as hateful as the N-word.

 

Here's the thing. People want to apply labels, which means defining limits. But can we do that in any meaningful way with human interactions?

 

When it comes to sexuality, someone (or some group) has come up with these designations: Alloromantic, Allosexual, Androsexual, Aromantic, Asexual, Autoromantic, Autosexual, Bicurious, Biromantic, Bisexual, Demiromantic, Demisexual, Gay, Gynesexual or gynosexual, Heteroromantic, Heterosexual, Homoromantic, Homosexual, Lesbian, Monosexual, Multisexual, Pansexual and omnisexual, Panromantic, Polysexual, Queer, Sexual fluidity, Skoliosexual, Spectrasexual. You can look up the definitions if so interested.

 

Certainly the varieties don't end there because as of today there are more than 8 billion people living on our planet and everyone is their own person with their individual identities and traits. Think of it this way...

 

How many colors are there in the world? Around 18 decillion varieties of the core colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. The number of defined patterns in the world includes Basketweave, Brocade, Checked, Chevron, Chinoiserie, Chintz, Damask, Ditzy, Flame stitch, Fleur-de-lis, Floral, Geometric, Gingham, Greek key, Harlequin, Herringbone, Houndstooth, Ikat, Jacquard, Leopard, Medallion, Moroccan lattice, Ogee, Paisley, Polka dot, Stripes, Tartan, Toile, Trellis, Zebra. And, of course, solids. When combined with the diversities of color, the variations are effectively infinite.

 

As a self-identified bi-guy, I've felt and experienced feelings, attractions, and relationships across a spectrum, and you've all seen and read about Scooter & Bubba on this blog. What PRIDE means to me is taking comfort and pleasure in our own personal identities, free of concern about misunderstanding or negative feelings from anyone else. I think of the Broadway song that should have been titled "I Am WHO I Am."

 

We should all be able to take pride in who we are.