Happy Pride 2024
My Annual Letter of Lament and Love
I drop this open letter of lament and love on IG every year. I wish I didn’t have to, but far too many Christians flood the socials with their anti-LGBTQIA messages that we affirming Christians must do our best to lift more loving messages of the faith.
This year I also created a few more This X loves you graphics. Posted below.
Happy Pride 2024!
I write to you as a parent of young adults who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and as a Christian, Presbyterian, religious leader who grew up in and has LED affirming communities. This year, I again join others in publicly and boldly affirming a part of the beloved community that too many of my Christian siblings do not.
While there are many in the church who are LGBTQIA+ affirming, AND I will rejoice in the day that you can assume safety and affirmation in Christian spaces, I know that many churches, campus ministries, and religious leaders have inflicted emotional, spiritual, and physical trauma upon your personhood — all in the name of God.
I do not presume to speak for or apologize on behalf of these Christian communities, individuals, or leaders, but I do name and lament the pain that has been heaped upon you by those with whom I share a common sacred text and a professed belief in the one called Jesus.
Too many Christians have bought into and preached a gospel of “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” This theology disguises hate as love and perpetuates and emboldens a culture of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and queerphobia that has led to spiritual trauma, emotional abuse, physical violence, and death.
I and others lament this reality but make no mistake, we also reject this version of the Christian faith and want you to know that many of us affirm the fullness of your personhood, full stop.
Our affirmation is public and it is unequivocal.
I fully acknowledge that your humanity needs no affirmation by some random pastor and leader of a tradition that has historically weaponized a person's sexuality and gender in order to uphold power, influence, and wealth.
That said, if there is any part of your soul that has yearned to hear an acknowledgment of pain caused, if you need to hear even a whisper of healing and hope, or if you have wondered if there are allies and accomplices out there, I hope you hear that from me and other people of faith, and not only during Pride — you are loved.
This Christian, Filipino/Chinese-Am dad, pastor, husband, and human loves you!
