Gay pride event in our town

[ThinkingSapien]

When I was growing up (1950s and early 60s), smoking was a normal presence

I think you are trying to distinguish the difference between normal (frequently occurring) and nominal (within acceptable parameters). While the two are not the same thing something being normal can lead to people being more acceptable of it.

I realize smoking is not an inborn orientation, but neither is the political LGBT movement.

I don’t know if there is an inborn or biological component to being gay or not. There’s evidence that suggest that it is an influencer. My understanding of the LGBT rights movement(s) in the USA is that there was some unjustifiably hash treatment of someone that was gay (even if the person wasn’t actually engaged in sexual activity).

What if an organization sponsored a “White Pride” rally? Should the Catholic parish join in, setting up a booth, so we can keep the dialogue going, and “engage” them?

I wouldn’t suggest it. The closest things I can recall to such rallies were prone to hatred and violence. I’m think of both some of the more recent rallies and the gatherings that the Klan used to organize in the area where I grew up.

That said, there have also been gatherings to express pride in some particular ethnic group. From what I’ve seen of these they are usually innocuous; if there’s a cultural event for expressing pride in Irish heritage and you are interested then check it out.

 

[Paul71]

Do you think that gay people are fundamentally celebrating gay sex in these parades? Or are they trying to regain dignity as persons that they feel has been taken from them?

Based on what I have heard about these parades, I think it is safe to say “yes” to both of these questions. I have seen evidence of both of these aspects being present at gay pride parades.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

Well, the whole private property thing makes that a problem…I do know of guys who have stood on the sidewalk outside of the local strip club and pamphleted.

Well, then, these people would be acting on plausibly pure motives, in protesting a gay pride parade. But many other Catholics wouldn’t.

In regards to divorce, we should certainly protest Catholics divorcing, but in cases of secular divorce where holding the couple together may be unhealthy, that may not be a good course of action

OK, well, do you see Catholics fighting vocally and politically against no-fault divorce?

 

[simonjosiah1]

perhaps organise a rosary rally the same day?

 

[Prodigal_Son]

Based on what I have heard about these parades, I think it is safe to say “yes” to both of these questions.

With all due respect, that is because the media picks and chooses what to show. Sex sells. But the actual parades are often much more tame than what you see online. (Often, not always).

 

[Maximilian75]

All valid points.

Pax!

 

[2towers]

Do the booth, pass out rosaries, come up with some good answers to the usual questions and let your message be “all sinners who strive or yearn for God are welcome.”

 

[Prodigal_Son]

There are public gay events that genuinely celebrate sex and not dignity. I won’t mention their names here, lest I make people morbidly curious. But I daresay hardly anyone protests them.

 

[Brendan]

So why don’t we prevent straight people from sexual sins? Where are the protests?

I really think we ought to realize that not all of this protesting is coming from love. Some of it is coming from fear, and fear is a bad motivation in situations of evangelizing.

The Church works against all types of sin. Why do you think that it is any different. It was at the forefront of opposing divorce in Malta, for example, and against legislation in Canada and elsewhere opposing the legalization of prostitution.

The Church has never thought it to be a sign of love to encourage someone to become a sex worker. It loves the PERSON, not the ACT, and encourages them to leave their situation.

You don’t see that all that much in the papers because such work is not all that controversial. The work against gay marriage is, and that is unfortunate.

The Church is very consistent in her teachings.

 

[Paul71]

With all due respect, that is because the media picks and chooses what to show. Sex sells. But the actual parades are often much more tame than what you see online. (Often, not always).

I haven’t been to these parades, so I can’t say how common it is to see sexually explicit activity, but I do know that it happens sometimes, and that some of it is very explicit.

However, the fact is that these groups are choosing to stage a very public celebration of homosexuality. And yes, I am aware that homosexuality can refer to inclinations, acts, or both, and that inclinations are not sinful, and that we should not condemn persons who have these inclinations. But I really don’t think that most parade-goers are celebrating the ability to remain chaste in the face of homosexual inclinations. I think it is safe to say that most of them are celebrating both the inclination and the right to act on that inclination, even if they don’t include sexually explicit displays or slogans, and they are the ones choosing to celebrate these things in a very public way.

Still, that opens a possible path for the original poster as to how to respond to this parade. Perhaps you can see if there is a Courage or enCourage group in your area, and see if they would be interested in participating in some way (perhaps setting up a booth), in order to get out a positive message of chastity.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

The Church works against all types of sin. Why do you think that it is any different. It was at the forefront of opposing divorce in Malta, for example, and against legislation in Canada and elsewhere opposing the legalization of prostitution.

The Church is very consistent in her teachings.

You’re talking about political and legal recourse, not protesting. I’m asking what Catholics protest. We hardly ever protest sexual immorality or divorce, perhaps because we don’t want to offend straight people. With gay people, the gloves come off. Just calling it how I see it, as a man in a Catholic marriage who is nevertheless bisexual.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

most of them are celebrating both the inclination and the right to act on that inclination

This could be plausibly seen as true of the St. Patty’s Day parade as it relates to drunkenness. It could certainly be seen as true of Mardi Gras, as it pertains to all sorts of sexual immorality.

 

[Paul71]

This could be plausibly seen as true of the St. Patty’s Day parade as it relates to drunkenness. It could certainly be seen as true of Mardi Gras, as it pertains to all sorts of sexual immorality.

I don’t quite follow the St. Patrick’s Day analogy, perhaps because I haven’t been to that parade and am not very familiar with it.

But I would agree that Mardi Gras could be seen as a celebration of sexual immorality. I have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and I know that for locals it can be something different than what it is for tourists. But for many tourists (many of whom are college age), in my experience it most certainly is a celebration of sexual immorality, drunkenness, and so on.

And if my town held a Mardi Gras event that intentionally included and celebrated some of the worst things I have seen at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I suspect I would be as likely to protest that celebration as to protest a gay pride parade.

 

[Crusader30]

I think an hour of adoration before Our Lord would be better than a hostle sign at a gay pride parade

 

[commenter]

Do the booth, pass out rosaries, come up with some good answers to the usual questions and let your message be “all sinners who strive or yearn for God are welcome.”

I am undecided about your suggestion. On the one hand, I hate to pass up an opportunity to pass out rosaries (I would also pass out information about Divine Mercy). On the other hand, setting up a booth might be interpreted as endorsing the whole event, which might end up being worse than you expect.

The crucial time for the Church’s witness is not at the event - with the crowd - but afterwards, with individuals. There is a delicate balance here. We cannot be judgmental of individuals, but we can judge that certain crowds are likely harmful.

We have to be cautious about criticizing the crowd, because some good individuals are, for the moment, loyal to it. The problem is that the “Gay Pride” movement is often captured by the “Gay Political-secular” movement.

The Salvation Army did not make progress by marching into the drinking crowd at the bar Saturday night. They made themselves available to individuals the next morning, in a loving, non judgmental way. In the long run, those individuals may come to realize that the “drinking crowd community” was a negative influence. But they won’t realize it for awhile.

 

[lilypadrees]

Don’t go to their event. Instead, hold one of your own on a separate day

 

[2towers]

I am undecided about your suggestion. On the one hand, I hate to pass up an opportunity to pass out rosaries (I would also pass out information about Divine Mercy). On the other hand, setting up a booth might be interpreted as endorsing the whole event, which might end up being worse than you expect.

I know, that is a thought. It would take some careful discernment. To be seen as approving the wrong thing would be possible scandal. It is a tough question. It would have to be done very carefully, and thought through very thoroughly. Thanks for your comment.

 

[GLam1761]

Yes, they need sympathy, not opposition,
their sexual orientation is not in line with
RCC doctrine, they need to, as we ALL
need to live and remain chaste, living in
fear of God’s laws and commandments,
so that it may go well w/ them and that
they can enjoy good relationships w/
friends of BOTH genders!!

 

[commenter]

I have not heard of an instance of a gay COMMUNITY entering the Catholic Faith. I know there are groups like Dignity, but they disagree with the Faith. There are orthodox groups such as Courage, but I would guess - I do not know - they are made up of people who either were never outside the Faith, or as individuals they reverted or converted to the Faith.

I think the Church had long neglected the need for social support for gay persons. I suspect many good individuals get support in questionable groups because there is no local Catholic or Christian alternative. I also think there is extreme pressure on gay individuals to support secularized, political groups they might prefer not to. Some individuals at the rally might prefer not to be there, so be careful of setting up a booth with happy balloons.

The Church has to be careful not imply any kind of blanket endorsement of “the crowd”.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

Private property, can’t do that.

Could do it outside though.