"TRUE COLORS" was the theme for the 33rd Annual L A Gay Pride 2003 Festival. And our true colors are what the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles certainly stressed to all festival visitors and parade watchers alike during the June 21st and 22nd events. THE FESTIVAL-2 Days, 300 Booths! Our diocese's booth, strategically located at the Melrose Ave entrance was covered in rainbow colored umbrellas, flowers and banners that stressed our themes: "The Episcopal Church Welcomes YOU"! and "Claim The Blessing!" Volunteers like myself from many Westside parishes were there to welcome visitors into our booth to view the video presentations as well as posters and pictures. (Brochures welcoming people to St. A's were distributed in our booth, of course!) Our mission was to answer questions and to create a comfortable sense of invitation to a church that is not only not about "judgment," but is about "grace." And a church that has stood for gay rights and social justice in many ways, for many years. The centerpiece display on the interior of our booth encouraged the gay community to "Claim the Blessing" which stimulated discussion about same-sex marriages, etc. 
SUNDAY - PARADE DAY - The Main Event! Bishop Bruno kicked off the day's events with a "Street Eucharist" in our parade organizing area at 9:00 AM. Rev. Susan Russell from All Saints Pasadena delivered a sermon encouraging us in our quest to "Claim the Blessing" amidst the dynamic tension within our own Church and at the same time to celebrate the election of the first openly gay Bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire.
Following on that note of optimism, Bishop Bruno and St. A's Deacon, Pat Hendrickson, celebrated the Eucharist and sent us forth to the parade to "share the Good News that God loves all of us, straight or gay!" In keeping with the Pride theme of TRUE COLORS we became a rainbow of colors as we donned our special Episcopal T- shirts and baseball caps. (The T-shirts had printed on the front "The Episcopal Church Welcomes YOU," and on the back, a red cross "Claim the Blessing." And we headed out to join our float. By the time all of us had gathered at our float there were literally hundreds of T-shirt- wearing, joyful Episcopalians - both in front of and behind the float! Well over a hundred of us walked in front carrying signs for all the parish churches in the diocese. And then an even larger contingent was marching behind the float carrying rainbow colored umbrellas, as far as the eye could see. The float itself featured a huge "stained glass window" of Christ the Good Shepherd surrounded by large rainbow umbrellas. A great sound system delivered inspiring "Christian marching music." And best of all, Bishop Bruno and a cadre of diverse clergy encircled the float offering blessings and holy water to the crowds all along the parade route. By the time the parade started to move our excitement became contagious. The parade watchers on both sides cheered, waved and even hugged many of us as we walked the route. Many were blown away by the size and spirit of the Episcopal contingent (3rd or 4th largest out of 122 entries!). Not only were we joyful and colorful, our nearly 500 marchers stretched more than a block in length, spreading the "Good News" that God loves us ALL! The crowds were taken by surprise and loved sharing the joy with us. I hope you'll consider joining the celebration next year!
Copyright © 2003 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
|
