#Gay Church

[somerandomdog511]

OMFG THERE'S A PRIDE FLAG OUTSIDE OF A CHURCH ON THE FLAG POLE UNDER THE AMERICAN ONE.

[walphs]

From Pride March to Pride Merch

By Ralph R. Sarza | Also published on Rappler

As we embark on the month of Pride, it is crucial to delve into the phenomenon known as pink capitalism, which lurks beneath the surface of this inclusive movement. “Pink capitalism” (also called “rainbow capitalism”) encompasses the commodification and commercialization of LGBTQ+ identities and struggles, raising profound implications that demand critical analysis.

Within the recognition of a significant market for LGBTQ+-specific products and services lies the genesis of pink capitalism. While the increasing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in mainstream culture signify progress, the commodification of their experiences for capitalist gain raises valid concerns. Pride-themed merchandise and the commercialization of Pride events serve as prime examples of pink capitalism, necessitating a closer examination of corporate involvement and its impact on the community’s ongoing struggle for liberation.

Pride merchandise has emerged as a powerful manifestation of pink capitalism, encompassing a wide range of products adorned with rainbow colors and symbols of Pride. From clothing to accessories and flags, businesses ranging from local vendors to multinational corporations eagerly capitalize on the opportunity to showcase their support for LGBTQ+ rights. However, beneath this commercial enterprise lie questions about the authenticity and underlying motivations of corporate involvement in the LGBTQ+ movement.

A key concern surrounding pink capitalism is the concept of “rainbow washing,” where companies adopt Pride-themed merchandise and marketing campaigns as superficial and performative gestures. Such actions often lack a genuine commitment to addressing the systemic issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community or providing sustained support beyond the month of June. Critics argue that this exploitation for profit leads to shallow engagement that fails to bring about meaningful change or long-term impact.

The recent targeted attacks on Target Pride highlight the challenges faced by corporations aligning themselves with LGBTQ+ causes. These incidents not only expose the persistent existence of homophobia within society, but also underscore the risks associated with brands associating themselves with the LGBTQ+ community. The Target Pride controversy emphasizes the need for corporations to take a proactive approach in addressing homophobia and offering genuine support to the communities they claim to stand with.

While scrutinizing the motives and ethics of companies engaged in pink capitalism is crucial, individual consumers also play a pivotal role in promoting ethical consumerism. Making informed choices that align with personal values involves supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses, prioritizing companies that demonstrate genuine and sustained support for the LGBTQ+ community, and holding corporations accountable beyond Pride Month. By actively engaging in ethical consumerism, individuals contribute to dismantling the exploitative tendencies of pink capitalism.

To transcend the limitations and criticisms of pink capitalism, a shift in focus is necessary — toward genuine and sustained support for LGBTQ+ communities. This shift involves centering community voices and needs, addressing systemic issues, fostering meaningful partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations, and prioritizing long-term change over short-lived profit-driven gestures. By doing so, the LGBTQ+ movement can transcend the boundaries imposed by capitalism, cultivating an inclusive and authentic Pride movement.

As Pride Month unfolds, a moment of contemplation awaits us — a chance to reflect on the complexities of pink capitalism. Beyond the vibrant surface lies a phenomenon that requires our careful examination: the commodification and commercialization of LGBTQ+ identities and struggles, posing thought-provoking questions that deserve our attention.

Amidst these challenges, we must ask ourselves: can we transcend the limitations of pink capitalism and restore the authenticity that underpins the Pride movement? It is essential to critically analyze the notion of “rainbow washing” — superficial gestures by companies that lack genuine commitment. By redirecting our focus toward meaningful support, collaboration, and sustained advocacy, we can pave the way for lasting change. Let us rise above the exploitative tendencies of capitalism and foster an inclusive Pride movement that embodies authenticity and progress.

[sweetfeet87]

Teaaaaa bitch after the truck is out there are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and thousands and hundreds and hundreds and millions in recent months and now you'll have a good time to get a job interview and then it immediately will take us to gurch

[eroshaven]

[visenyaism]

genuinely curious: do other places have billboards like these? because it took me until i was 22 to realize they might not be ubiquitous everywhere because being regularly told i was going to hell by random billboards on road-trips was just my memento mori as a kid like they don’t anything by it

[volvolts]

caleb made all of these

[ionomycin]

the vows we never exchanged

[lotussart]

yeah

[historyofmemes]

News everyone! Greece is now the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize civil same-sex marriage!

The same bill also gives same-sex couples full parental rights!

[pinbones]

I've seen a few posts about women and pants now and many of them are very good, and not to nitpick those posts or downplay religious sexism or anything, but I have to emphasise:

Somebody who DOESN'T live in a controlling religious country/cult/family is also affected by sexism. We all know that, right? Secular parts of the first world also have opinions about how women dress, including when it comes to trousers, especially in childhood and in institutions like schools and the workplace

Me and many people my age (20s) remember being forced into skirts, punished and shamed by parents & teachers & peers & possibly then bosses about what we wear not being feminine enough, and it wasn't by deeply religious sects. Many updates to dress codes are very new and sexist views are still in place in many institutions. Normalised societal misogyny wants women (and people they want to treat as women) to dress femininely, down to what KIND of pants they're allowed to wear (compare a pink top and jeggings to mens jeans and tell me these two women are treated the same. Hating women in pantsuits is still a sexist office joke today, and even those outfits are feminine compared to male suits, which raise eyebrows when worn by women). The women I know who wear trousers regularly are literally otherwise feminine, and all wear dresses to events.

I know trousers have become much more normalised over the past few decades in secular society (yay!! the result of many many years of effort and lawbreaking) but let's not be absolute when we talk about the pants concept lol. Especially within a larger conversation about female/transmasc/intersex/transfem masculinity and social perceptions, especially in an age of rising fascism

[effemar]

I AM A STRANGER HERE BELOW / AND WHAT I AM 'TIS HARD TO KNOW

[wispedvellichor]

the arc of fourteen reacting to spice up your life like NPH personally kicked his dog to fifteen telling the Baby Eating Goblins to *Hit it Janice* so he could be a part of the DW Camp Evil Musical (TM) is particularly so endearing to me

[walphs]

Believing Without Seeing

By Ralph R. Sarza

Original final script | April 23, 2023 Preaching for Open Table MCC | Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

SA MISMONG ARAW NG MULING PAGKABUHAY NI HESUS, dalawa sa mga tagasunod Niya ang papunta sa Emmaus, isang komunidad na nasa labing-isang kilometero ang layo mula sa Jerusalem. Habang naglalakad sila at nag-uusap tungkol sa mga nangyari kay Kristo sa Jerusalem, they were interrupted by Jesus. Ang sabi ni Hesus, “Ano ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?”

Now, Luke states that the eyes of the disciples “were kept from recognizing Jesus.” Ibig sabihin, hindi si Hesus ang nakikita ng mga mata nila kundi isang estranghero.

Nakatayo lang yung dalawa, malungkot, at ang tanong ng isa sa kanila kay Hesus, “Ikaw lang ba ang nag-iisang estranghero sa Jerusalem na hindi alam kung ano ang mga naganap doon?” Now, this is actually a funny and ironic scene because, kung meron mang nakakaalam sa lahat ng mga bagay na nangyari sa Jerusalem, that was the stranger in front of them — that was Jesus.

So ang lola n’yo, patay-malisya: “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a PROPHET (emphasis sa PROPHET)… and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.”

I would like to emphasize the use of the word PROPHET, instead of MESSIAH, because it’s an implication that the two disciples had lost their faith in Jesus. In fact, sabi sa verse 21, “We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.” HAD HOPED. Past perfect tense. Nawalan na nga sila ng pag-asa, nawalan pa sila ng pananampalataya.

And before I go on, I want to validate the disbelief of the two disciples. For indeed, we have witnessed numerous instances that have left us disenchanted and disheartened, ranging from the complexities of family dynamics, the intricacies of financial matters, and the often turbulent realm of Philippine politics.

LAST MONTH, sa loob lamang ng isang linggo, actually sa loob lamang ng dalawang magkasunod na araw, na-reject ako sa dalawang in-apply-an kong trabahong bet na bet ko talagang makuha. It was a humbling experience, it made me realize that I am not the best and the world doesn’t revolve around me, but it was also a very frustrating experience. Ang sakit kasi breadwinner ako, three years na kaming walang pay raise dahil sa ABS-CBN shutdown, at oras ang kalaban ko. I need a better-paying job, not today, not yesterday, but months ago.

At tulad ng “pagkabulag” ng dalawang tagasunod ni Hesus, nakakabulag din sa pananampalataya ko ang mga panahong frustrated ako, galit, malungkot, at talunan. “Bakit hindi ko maramdaman ang sinasabi nilang grasya ng Panginoon?” “Totoo ba ang ‘Jesus story,’ o inimbento lang ‘yan ng mga sinaunang tao para paniwalain ang mga sarili nilang may ‘forever’ after death?” “MAY DIYOS BA TALAGA?!”

In fact, nung may kinonsulta ako kay Pastor Joseph tungkol dun sa isang job application kung saan na-reject ako, I told him na nagiging agnostic na ako recently at nahihirapan akong magdasal.

Kapag napapagod na tayo sa buhay, kapag hindi natin nakukuha ang gusto natin, mas madaling sisihin ang universe o kuwestyunin ang existence ng Diyos dahil ‘yon ang mas convenient.

So the two disciples became doubtful after they learned that the body of Jesus was nowhere to be found: Verses 22-24: “Some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find His body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that JESUS WAS ALIVE. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Him.”

Sinabihan na silang JESUS WAS ALIVE, pero they still chose not to believe and just leave. So naimbyrena si Hesus at inawardan sila. Verse 25: “Then He said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into His glory?’”

So ang ginawa ni Hesus, “nagpa-Bible study” ng Old Testament para i-remind ang dalawa tungkol sa ugat ng pananampalataya nila. And that’s very noteworthy, kasi minsan, kumbaga sa halaman, ano ba ang pumipigil sa pag-blossom ng bulaklak? Baka naman hindi nakakakuha ng sapat na nutrients, so didiligan mo nang sapat at maayos ang mga ugat nito. Minsan, kapag nawawalan na tayo ng pananampalataya at pumupunta na lang tayo sa MCC para sa mga “baklaan” at hindi dahil kay Hesus, kailangan nating balikan ang ugat ng problema na tumulak sa’tin para maghanap ng espasyong tulad ng MCC. At ang ugat ng problema na ‘yon ay ang katotohanang hindi tayo binigyan ng dati nating mga Simbahan ng espasyo na maging Kristyano at queer at the same time.

Kaya tayo nandito sa MCC kasi kailangan natin ng chosen family na gagabay sa’tin para mag-blossom tayo by being our authentic self. Kaya tayo nandito kasi alam nating may potensyal tayong maging magagandang mga bulalak, at alam nating hindi tayo mamumukadkad habang nasa konserbatibong hardin tayo at ang pinandidilig nila sa’tin ay kung anu-anong mga kathang-isip na kasalanan.

Nung malapit na sila sa Emmaus, nagpatay-malisya ulit si Hesus, and He walked ahead as if He were going on. Pero pinigilan Siya ng dalawang desipulo. “Stay with us because the day is nearly over.” Sumama sa kanila si Hesus. No’ng nasa hapag na sila, kumuha si Hesus ng tinapay, binasbasan N’ya ito, biniyak, at inialay sa kanila. Pagkatapos ay namulat sila, nakilala nila si Hesus, at bigla Siyang naglaho sa kanilang paningin.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and He has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road and how He had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The story of the Road to Emmaus prompts us to contemplate the profound impact of encountering the risen Christ and underscores the importance of community in our personal journey of transformation. It reminds us to actively seek guidance and support from others and to remain receptive to the possibility of encountering the Divine in unexpected and unconventional ways.

Naramdaman ko noong nakaraang eleksyon ang frustration na naramdaman ng dalawang tagasunod ni Hesus. Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng magpakapagod para sa kinabukasan ng bansa, at ang mapangakuan ng pag-asa at makita itong maglaho na parang bula dahil sa maling pagpili ng mga taong biktima ng bulok na sistema at nilang mga namulat na sana ngunit mas piniling hindi makakita.

Nakakagalit. Nakapanghihinayang. Pero tulad ng nangyari sa Daan Patungong Emmaus, mga estrangehero rin ang nagpakita sa akin ng daan pabalik sa muling paniniwala at patungo sa panibagong pakikibaka. Mga estrangherong galing sa iba’t ibang karanasan at katayuan sa buhay, ngunit pinagbubuklod ng isang kulay — isang kulay na simbolo ng pag-asa, hustisya, at totoong pagbabago.

The story of the Road to Emmaus is a compelling reminder that the Resurrection of Jesus transcends mere historical significance, but rather represents an enduring invitation to encounter the Divine and undergo transformation. It enlightens us to the unpredictable ways in which the risen Christ can manifest in our lives, be it through chance encounters with strangers or through introspective reflection. Embracing this invitation sets us on a transformative journey of growth, change, and renewal, affording us the opportunity to flourish into a life imbued with deep meaning and purpose.

Finally, the story of the Road to Emmaus reminds us that, if we have unwavering faith in Jesus, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, not even death can make us part.

-30-

[mattastr0phic]

REPRESSED HOMOSEXUALS EXPOSURE THERAPY

[whereserpentswalk]

I'm not lgbt in the sense of "Jesus would have accepted gay people too." I'm queer in the sense of "if God hates faggots then I'm on the side of Satan."

[hoziercriespower]

Hozier performing Take Me To Church with a pride flag.

Happy pride month.