Food for Thought

So, in this post-election world in which one form of bigotry is still alive and well in the United States, a few notable things have happened.

1.David Caton, aka my favorite homophobe, of the American Family Association of Florida seems to be the first one out-of-the-box to say he’s ready to challenge a municipal domestic partnership policy in light of the passage of Amendment Two. Only took ‘em two weeks, folks!
2. Dan Wentzel of the Washington Post reported a city bus driver in Los Angeles boldly, proudly, and out loudly called those rallying at the Join the Impact rally in LA “Sodomites!” Wentzel responded with telling the driver, “I’m one of those sodomites!” And he reported the driver to the transit authority.
3. Sodom and Gomorrah has been a popular theme in the past for homophobes, but has seemingly regained usage in the wake of all the anti-gay votes. According to the blog “Stone of Witness”, the ill-fated biblical cities came up on the floor of the Diocesan Convention in central New York state. And not to discuss the proper way to treat a stranger, but to vilify the LGBT community.

This photo is one I took circa 1992 Tallahassee, FL. I guess they considered themselves the UNwelcoming party for our gay pride celebration that year!

Still…I marvel at the amazing story out of the Diocesan Convention in Missouri. As one who lived in Columbia, MO, for four years to attend college and was a congregant at Calvary Episcopal Church, I am so grateful that the DC is on record as supportive of full-inclusion of LGBT people. And to have such an overwhelming vote even after so much apparent negative venting about gays says something to me about the power of God. It kind of reminds me of the story of Balak and Balaam, in which Balak wants Balaam to curse the Israelites…and instead of a curse, the words that come out of Balaam’s mouth are a blessing.
I have been quite amazed with the haughtiness of the homophobes, the boldness of their speech. For people who claim to have Christ on their side, they aren’t paying close attention to what happens to those who persecute another. Hint: it isn’t pretty. Think about it the next time you want to call me “Sodomite” or “Bulldyke” or any other countless names I’ve been called over the years. Your words will come back on you.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.” –Isaiah 54: 7-8