Rainbow Pride

So, I was a little slow to click to this, but I realized that Facebook had a way for people to celebrate Rainbow Pride https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT_movement), in honor of the Supreme Court's decision to make same sex marriage recognized as legal, nationwide http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-courts-landmark-ruling-legalizes-gay-marriage-nationwide/ar-AAcaBM5?ocid=ansnewsap11.  I finally figured out how to do this! Sorry I am so slow!

I have had discussions with folks I know that this is against their religion.  Sadly, these are very Christian, kind people. Some are even health care or mental health care professionals who have a professional obligation to be ethically and culturally competent in matters such as this. So, they tell me they can treat these people as they always have, with love, and respect.  But they cannot accept their right to be protected in marriage and the civil rights that marriage implies:  benefits, recognitions, legal parenthood, insurance coverage, for example. I am sorry, I do not believe they can treat homosexuals or other culturally affected people with the dignity and respect they deserve, because by denying their right to be protected civilly, you are disrespecting them, even if you think you are not.. 

I had this discussion with a colleague today. I am not good at thinking on my feet, but thinking about it now, how can "loving these people" include excluding them from the protections of civil rights, excluding them from equality of protection in employment, equality of protection of benefits like Social Security and Health Insurance, preventing one of a gay couple from being able to adopt a child. It cannot.  I am sorry.  We cannot love homosexual people unless we give them equal standing as human beings.

I understand that many religions feel that they cannot accept homosexuals because of "Biblical Teachings." Pardon me, we hide behind "Biblical Teachings" that have nothing to do with real teachings from Christ like "love one another," "treat others as you would want to be treated." "ask for forgiveness and you will be forgiven." 

If you cannot accept homosexuals as they are, with all that implies, then you cannot love them and accept them, no matter how much you protest otherwise.

This is not a gray decision.  This is a black and white decision. You either love and accept people who are gay, or you withhold your love and acceptance.  Because, really love is acceptance, and unconditional.