This Sunday, June 27, is the LGBT Pride Parade, happening in cities around the world. I will be proudly marching with the Quaker contingent in New York City.
Other Quakers tell me that our association with the Parade goes back to its roots, the Stonewall Riots that took place on June 28, 1969 in Greenwich Village. Reportedly, fleeing demonstrators were given refuge in the nearby Quaker Meeting as they hid from the riot police. And we've marched in every single Pride Parade ever since — the only religious institution to do so.
While we are a diversity religious society, Quakers have over the decades took strong stands in defense of gay rights, including supporting same-gender unions in many Meetings and opposing homophobia. My first Quaker Meeting was actually a small gathering in Washington DC that was primarily, but not exclusively, attended by gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons. And we have an active gay presence in my current Meeting in Brooklyn.
Sunday is going to be a glorious day. Come out and show your pride!