Pride Parade Paradise

I think I'm almost recovered from SF Pride. Well. Almost.

Over many years I have marched in the parade with an amazing variety of parade contingents. I started my parade career with the Episcopal Diocese of California and marched with many parishes and even Lutherans (yes, it's true).

As my vocation as a Franciscan deacon matured (vocational maturing can look very scary), I began walking in the parade with community organizations that I served and not the churches that I showed up to on Sunday's. I've had to learn to be very clear about my priorities with my fellow religious. It might just look like I want to have more fun. Well. there's that. But I really think it is important to support folks who are doing all the hard work. Not just showing up for a photo op. It means a lot.

I've marched with the SF Ducal and Imperial Councils, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and I was honored to help carry the Trans Flag one year. I was even a judge. That was the first time I actually saw the whole parade! And ouch! The sunburn was hilarious!

This year is was asked by the Leather Grand Marshall to walk with the Leather Contingent. I was very touched by this invitation. I try to make it a policy to only go where I'm invited. And for some people, showing up in clergy garb to leather/kink events is kind of a shock. And not always a good kind of shock given the treatment of the queer community by "Christians".

So there I was. Collar, stole and all.

And it was the most amazing group of people I have ever spent time with. They are the most diverse community you will ever meet. There were folks of every race and creed. There were folks of every generation. There were children with their parents and elders being pushed in wheelchairs. There were puppies and ponies and their handlers. They were people taking care of each other. Checking in. Making sure everyone had water and snacks and sunscreen and that people were safe and felt safe. And having fun. There's that and that's important. Joy.

I felt like I was looking at the true image of the beloved community.

Thank you for a foretaste of heaven.