On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It was the second such demonstration in our nation’s capital and resulted in the founding of a number of LGBT organizations.
It was around this date that in 2009 I went to Washington, DC for another March on Washington for Equality. On the way there I had read the book "Endangered Values" by former President Jimmy Carter, which helped me begin to think about so many things. I loved the book, and read it at the right time. Then I visited the National Holocaust Museum. I was about 1/2 way through not allowing any to sink in. I wasn't there. This didn't affect me. Then it affected me. I saw the shoes. It was an emotional turning point for many things. Then we had the March. The first speaker I knew, the Rev. Troy Perry (Founder of MCC Churches) and he didn't just speak words, he lifted spirits, he raised roofs, he shook the ground we stood on. The tears streamed from my face onto that ground watching man after women after young person after person of color after wheelchair after gay person after republican after straight person after... kept coming down the street from the march. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my life.
Today people are urged to come out and share their story in hopes that others will come out and share their story in hopes that it will be safer, easier and ok for others to come out and share their story.
We all are children of the same universe.
We all are children of God.
We all are human beings.
We all shed the same blood.
We all require very little in life, food, shelter, water and perhaps love to make it all taste good.
To this day National Coming Out Day continues to promote a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly in hopes that it will get better for others.
As an openly gay man who proudly serves as an Interfaith Chaplain, I extend a hug to those thinking about coming out, it does get better. I extend a hug to those who have come out, thank you for making it better. I extend a hug to those who would prefer that gay people stay in the closet or go away. Perhaps you have had food, shelter and water in your life, but no hug to make it all taste good!
Chaplain Royal Bush and Chaplain Beth Loofe are Interfaith Chaplains offering nondenominational and nonreligious care and services to all, without exception in Nebraska and Iowa. They conduct Weddings, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funerals, Blessings, and Pastoral Care. For more information please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006.
