Pastor at Pride

Reflection from Amsterdam

I spent last week at Amsterdam pride. Yes, that Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is an important place in my life, a place I visited frequently in the 1990s where I had formative experiences.

It was so good to be back as my full self, with my best friends, and the celebration of pride at every turn. I stayed in my old hotel and hung out at my old spots.

My favorite part of the trip were the people I met: the proud mom of a drummer, a couple from Denver, a refugee from San Francisco, people from Munch to Persia.

Inevitably, as I met people, the question would be asked, “what do you do?” When I said I am a pastor, wonderment crossed people’s faces. Several evenings were filled with conversation about how I reconciled religion and queer identity.

Religion that has been used to force a conformity that denies the diversity of God and creation.

Religion that has been used as the excuse to legitimize bigotry.

Religion that has been used to perpetuate systems of patriarchy, misogyny, and racism.

How can I be a part of that, especially when religion is used today by politicians as an excuse to pass laws against people like me?

That is not my religion.

My religion comes in following Jesus who preached that he came to bring freedom to the oppressed and release to the captives.

My religion is found in standing with those whose backs are against the wall.

My religion is in recognizing and restoring the beauty in all creation.

My religion is love.

I refuse to let the bastards define the faith that has brought me life. Instead, I shine a rainbow light of love that the darkness cannot extinguish.