Less pageantry, more substance: Yesterday, I attended my first PRIDE festival in Allentown, PA and enjoyed every minute of it.
As you can see from this title, I am a heterosexual, but embrace everyone's personal liberties.
I, like much of my generation, believes that you are born straight or gay.
It is not a choice.
Unfortunately, much of our society does not believe this.
These beliefs are fueled primarily by archaic religious edicts.
I am not sure when this was interpreted in the bible, but I believe organized religion thrust this belief at us to keep us breeding.
Be a good Catholic, have babies and create more Catholics.
This is what grows religion.
Fear of damnation and condemnation is what kept people in check.
Things have changed, haven't they?: Once again science and religion have clashed to create each faction to take sides.
Fundamentalists believe that being gay is a choice.
Those of us that have learned to think and interpret for ourselves have a more enlightened belief or opinion than the Fundamentalists.
That is one of the reasons that I am no longer Catholic and is now an Episcopalian.
That was why I was at my first Pride festival.
A little background about my church, St.
Andrew's Episcopal Church, Allentown, PA: Our parish is comprised of an aging population.
Several years ago to rejuvenate our church we brought in a part-time priest that happened to be gay.
He is the best thing to happen to this church recently.
He is charismatic and engaging.
He has brought a much needed energy to a church on life support.
Every year, Fr.
Scott has led the diocese to participate at this festival.
This ain't no gay bar: My preconceived notions were shattered at this festival.
I have gay friends and I have gone to a "gay" bar before.
These bars provide a safe haven for the GLBT group to cut loose in a controlled, inviting environment.
To a straight man, seeing a couple of men bumping and grinding against each other can be a little unnerving.
Seeing a couple of women bumping and grinding though is another story (or another blog)!:-) My ignorance and maybe arrogance lead me to believe that I may see more of the same at this festival.
That is not what I saw.
What I saw was a safe haven for people to be themselves.
Too much in our society requires each of us to homogenize ourselves into a social norm.
You must fit into to belong, That is what our society dictates and how we assimilate into this culture.
I felt pride myself because for once I could see people openly hold their love one's hand.
Sure I saw the occasional 6'6 cross dresser with heals on.
A sight that is impressive which had me wondering how that person was able to stay upright on these heels with such a large frame! But I also saw love and caring throughout.
A tight knit community that took pride in being who they are and shared it with everyone that was there.
I loved it.
Just by being there, I was accepted.
I feel I am a better person for going there.