June 2004

• This year, Pride season begins June 5th with a block party on the New Haven Green. We'll be there, along with Welcoming Congregations of New Haven (WCNH).

 
• On June 19th, the Pride moves to Station Park in Providence where we'll have a solo booth.

 
• The great New York City Pride Parade is June 27th. We'll join our sister organization, Presbyterian Welcome, for the march. New marchers are always welcome.

 
• Hartford's Pride celebration is September 18th in Bushnell Park.

To march through the throng of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, all cheering their support, was overwhelming. From the moment of silence, when all the parade stood silent and still in memory of those we have lost to AIDS ... to the jubilant crowd response to the lesbian couple in our group who sported a sign that read, "Just married" and on the reverse, "We Do Holy Unions!"

There was a large religious contingency that stretched for many city blocks. What a change from years past. And most remarkable was that our presence seemed expected and normal. I can remember when a religious group just being in the Pride March turned heads and brought tears.

... perhaps, by sheer force of will and this really nice banner, someone, anyone, everyone will know that despite all that has been, is now and may yet be unwelcoming about the Presbyterian Church, there are places where everyone is welcome, where all may freely serve.

The excitement of marching ... - and the cheers of the crowds and support of the Evelyn Davidson Memorial water project - made it a relatively effortless event. Perhaps too easy, now thirty-[five] years removed from the march's genesis in the Stonewall Inn uprising, that fourth Sunday in June of 1969.