Where is the love? 🏳️‍🌈❤️

The month of June is recognized as Pride Month. First, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month" in 1999 and 2000. Then from 2009 to 2016, each year he was in office, President Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride Month. Later, President Joe Biden declared June LGBTQ+ Pride Month in 2021.

According to The LGBT+Pride Global survey conducted in 2021, On average, globally, 80% identify as heterosexual, 3% as gay, lesbian or homosexual, 4% as bisexual, 1% as pansexual or omnisexual, 1% as asexual, 1% as “other”, and 11% don’t know or won’t say. Because same sex relationships and gender identity is such a taboo topic, I would take a small percentage of that 80% and add it to that 11% that don’t know ( I’d argue that they do know) or won’t say.

On this #FaceitFridayswithDalya since I have the mic and we’re #NormalizingHardConversations, let’s talk. The term LGBT has been around since the 90’s , but I know for sure that long before the 90’s folks who identify as such existed, but struggled with language to describe what they considered themselves as. So about that 11% that don’t know or won’t say. Why is that? I say it’s because of shame, fear and discrimination. It’s not easy for people to “come out” and share their sexuality even with people they trust and love. It’s just not one of those conversations you’d have at 1st Sunday dinner. If you were raised in the church that makes it even harder. Although there are plenty of folks in churches around this country who identify as LGBT, THAT conversation is not one that we want to be a part of. It’s unfortunate, but certainly a reality. That discussion deserves a whole blog by itself…..stay tuned.

We live in a society where suicide is becoming way too familiar. Research has found that attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth are significantly higher than among the general population. For someone to feel that it’s better to take their own life than deal with the stigma and shame attached to who they are is so disheartening.

In previous blogs (go back and read them😉) I’ve mentioned communication many times. There probably will never be any accuracy in percentages of the LGBT population, because there are many who identify as such, but are afraid to live out loud and expose their true identity. Let’s normalize this hard conversation. In our families, communities and on our jobs. We could have a religious or spiritual debate all day long about sexual orientation and gender identity, but at the end of the day people are dying because they’ve been discarded and marginalized sometimes by people in their own families. You have every right to speak your truth and opinion, and even tell folks “well the Bible says”, but do it in love and in a way that exemplifies compassion, empathy and grace.

There’s a pretty good chance there is someone in your family or your circle of friends that identify as LGBT. NOW we can talk about religion and spirituality. The Bible speaks of loving your neighbor as yourself. I could chase a rabbit here and say there in lies the problem. Do we love ourselves? Let that marinate for a minute or two. Without knowing their story, are you a safe space for those individuals to come and sit with and talk to. That 11% needs you, heck the other 89% does too, if we’re honest. They need to know they are loved and no matter how they identify, accepted and not judged.

Part of #NormalizingHardConversations around this subject is Agape love, love of mankind. We all need it. Don’t be afraid to be that person who is affable and genuinely interested in the people in your life who may live a different lifestyle than you. What we need most in this world is love and not division. We need to be able to have hard conversations without leaving people feeling ostracized. These feelings can lead to loneliness, anxiety and depression. This is not the way we want people to leave our presence or feel God’s love.

So where is the love?

I am love

I am worthy

I am unique

I am beautiful

I am creative

I am human

And like you, I was created in the very image of God.

When we understand that we are all these things and more, it should inspire us to treat each other better. To be respectful of our brothers and sisters who may not see or experience love the way we do.

Love is a lot of things, but my favorite description of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

Love is patient

         is kind

         it does not envy

         it does not boast

         it is not proud

         it is not rude

         it is not self-seeking

         it is not easily angered

         keeps no record of wrongs

         does not delight in evil

rejoices with the truth

         always protects

         always trusts

         always hopes

         always preserves

         NEVER FAILS

Let’s continue #NormalizingHardConversations. Sharing with someone that you identify as LGBT is hard! Being loved for who you are is hard. Finding a safe space is hard. Don’t be the reason why a family member or a dear friend is aloof, fearful or afraid. That can lead to a devastating outcome. Be there for them. Share Jesus without browbeating. Listen. Empathize and show compassion. Be loving.

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to leave a comment to let me know you were here.

I love y’all! 🤎

Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

#FaceitFridayswithDalya

#NormalizingHardConversations

Doing all things well,

Dalya