I am writing this piece a few hours after returning home from Pridefest in my hometown of Doylestown, Pennsylvania (the heart of Bucks County). It is the third I have attended since May where I offered and shared FREE HUGS with willing participants in New Hope and Philadelphia.
My body is weary, but my heart is full and my mind is awhirl with memories of the day that began when I donned my FREE MOM HUGS t-shirt, colorful Mardi Gras beads, and faerie/butterfly wings and took to the streets. Six hours later, I estimate that I had hugged a few hundred people. Some I approached, some came dashing up to me. Some I know well from having lived in the community since 1985 and others recognized me through Facebook. One was a lovely family who was visiting from Tawain and they were interested in the concept of Free Hugs and what I was doing there.
Many wore the telltale t-shirts announcing that they too were offering Free Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother Hugs. Young people melted into us clung to us and were reluctant to let go. Two teen boys, one who towered over me, and was at least 6’4″ each meandered the street bellowing “Hugs!” as they offered them as well. They had many takers.
The weather could not have been better, high in the low 80s and sunny, with a delightfully light breeze. The mood itself reflected that climate. It was a family friendly environment with multi-generations wandering a few block stretch. I was moved by the parents and kiddos who were decked out in clothing proclaiming their individuality, uniqueness, and unity. I smile when I imagine the conversations that went on in their homes in preparation for the day.
The organizers of the event, several who I know as major movers and shakers in our community, did a grand job of putting together a series of events that included films, music, dance parties, drag queen story hour, children designing a rainbow-colored crosswalk on the street and a block party. People wandered the streets laughing, hugging, sampling the food offerings, registering voters, picking up educational literature.
The Rainbow Room which is a shining star in our community since it provides support for LGBTQ+ young people was a lively presence.
The one cloud that threatened to block the sun was a blessedly small group of self-proclaimed Christians who paced the street, amplifying their message of hate and fear. I counted three of them; two men with microphones and a woman silently holding a sign. They went on for hours attempting to incite a reaction from passersby. A few of the teens attempted to engage them, as they tried to out-chant them. They were encouraged not to react or give them air time. A musician valiantly outplayed them from across the street. Our wonderful local police stood vigil and kept a watchful eye. There was no violence and eventually, they took their signs and vitriol and called it a day.
I was tempted to approach and ask them “Who would Jesus hate?” but knew that they wouldn’t have the ears to hear it. I thought about asking if they wanted a hug, but was almost certain that they would decline.
It called to mind the question of whether it was okay to be against them and their values and still be pro-peace and social justice. Many in my circles focus only on the light and feel we attract negativity when we turn our attention to darkness. I disagree. We need to call out the darkness and bring it into the light. Each day, I show up, stand up and speak out, with my writing and presentations and hugging.
I had just read a piece by the brilliant John Pavlovitz It clearly stated what he was against. I share his sentiments word by word and line by line.
In honor of today’s experience, I proclaim:
- I stand against hatred and intolerance.
- I stand against fear mongering.
- I stand against using misinterpretation and twisting of the pages of a holy book to justify anti-LGBTQ+ rights.
- I stand against limiting the right to love freely and to marry who you choose.
- I stand against the ridiculous notion that transgender people present a danger to those who would share a bathroom.
- I stand against prohibiting civil rights based on relationship status.
- I stand against indoctrinating children to hate.
- I stand against violence toward anyone.
As a result of what I stand against, I am better able to stand for love and peace. They are not mutually exclusive.
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