Baby and I were excited to go to the Charleston Pride Parade. The floats were pretty cool, but I loved the banners most. They included phrases like "Equal means everyone" and "Freedom can't protect itself." One guy, named Tommy, wore a sign that I have seen go around Facebook. It said,
"Love thy neighbor. Love thy homeless neighbor. Love thy Muslim neighbor. Love thy black neighbor. Love thy gay neighbor. Love thy immigrant neighbor. Love thy Jewish neighbor. Love thy Christian neighbor. Love thy Atheist neighbor. Love thy disabled neighbor. Love thy addicted neighbor." I really enjoyed how this day was all about acceptance and love. There was no hate in attendance. It was also a family affair. I was able to take a picture of Tracy and her grandchildren.
A question that I get a lot, some in jest but many, MANY seriously, is am I trying to make my son gay? The answer is no, I am not. However, I am trying to teach him that everyone has a responsibility to stand up for what is right. Everyone has a responsibility to promote equality. Also, if my son is gay, how can I wait until he tells me this to start being an activist for LGBT rights? Wouldn't that be a bit hypocritical? Won't he be looking at my opinions and interactions long before we had that conversation?
Baby's favorite part was getting beads thrown to him from a float. I think we walked over two miles celebrating. It was a really fun event!
"Love thy neighbor. Love thy homeless neighbor. Love thy Muslim neighbor. Love thy black neighbor. Love thy gay neighbor. Love thy immigrant neighbor. Love thy Jewish neighbor. Love thy Christian neighbor. Love thy Atheist neighbor. Love thy disabled neighbor. Love thy addicted neighbor." I really enjoyed how this day was all about acceptance and love. There was no hate in attendance. It was also a family affair. I was able to take a picture of Tracy and her grandchildren. 
A question that I get a lot, some in jest but many, MANY seriously, is am I trying to make my son gay? The answer is no, I am not. However, I am trying to teach him that everyone has a responsibility to stand up for what is right. Everyone has a responsibility to promote equality. Also, if my son is gay, how can I wait until he tells me this to start being an activist for LGBT rights? Wouldn't that be a bit hypocritical? Won't he be looking at my opinions and interactions long before we had that conversation? 
Baby's favorite part was getting beads thrown to him from a float. I think we walked over two miles celebrating. It was a really fun event! 
4 comments:
He looks so much like your husband!!
That look like a tiny parade compared to the one we walked through in Boston;) Wish you could have seen it! Anyways, that is such a stupid comment. "Are you trying to make your son gay?' I guess if teaching him about the real world and love and acceptance is gay then I guess so! LOL
If in the future he feels that being gay is truly who he is then he will know that his whole life he was understood and supported. He is less likely to try drugs and also less likely to consider suicide if he knows he is loved no matter what. I can guarantee that parent that have lost children to drug overdose or suicide wish they could go back in time and somehow convey to their children that they are loved no matter what.
I think that there is no better message that you can give him than that he is loved. Good job mama!
Good for you. This was a lot less wild than I would have thought. Although, I'm imagining something closer to the Halloween parade in New York City.
It reminds me of a meme of Jesus saying "love they neighbor," and a speech bubble saying, "What if they're gay and worship other gods?" And Jesus says "Did I stutter?"
Fabulous post! Have you joined the Mormons Building Bridges group on Facebook yet? It is a wonderful "place" like minded Mormons chat and share...
I'm so glad you and Ezra had a good time :)
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