How should we respond to Pride Month?

The spectrum of LGBTIP2SQQAPKA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, queer, questioning, asexual, polyamorous, kinky, and allies) indeed is sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11). And it's important for Christians to know how to respond when the culture around them celebrates such sin.

Pride Month is celebrated essentially as an annual reminder of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan where once upon a time same-sex relationships were illegal. In New York City as well as numerous other cities especially in the Western world, LGBTQ individuals used to surreptitiously gather at gay bars and clubs so as to associate with like-minded individuals. One such establishment was the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, NYC. On the morning of June 28, 1969, police raided the bar and made several arrests. The raids sparked numerous riots. These multi-day riots became a galvanizing force for LGBTQ political activism. Pride Month is presently a major cultural event. Individuals gather from all over the world for the celebration of non-biblical sexual and gender expression. According to Joseph R. Biden, Jr., the President of the United States, the USA agrees with Pride Month. Though he cannot speak for all Americans, he wrote the following:

During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI ) Pride Month, we reflect on the progress we have made as a Nation in the fight for justice, inclusion, and equality while reaffirming our commitment to do more to support LGBTQI rights at home and abroad. I often say that America can be defined by one word: possibilities. This month, we celebrate generations of LGBTQI people who have fought to make the possibilities of our Nation real for every American. … [1]

President Biden isn't alone in this. Argentina legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, Canada in 2005, and Demark recognized same-sex partnerships back in 1989. [2] Many corporations support the LGBTQ movement. Among them are American Airlines, Apple, AT&T, Ben & Jerry’s, Chobani, Comcast, CVS, Eastman Kodak Co., Hallmark, Instagram, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, Nike Inc., Nordstrom, Starbucks, Tylenol, Walmart, and the Xerox Corp. [3][4][5]

The LGBTQ agenda has support from the laws of entire nations to many high-level corporations. Our culture has been infected with a deadly disease that has eternal consequences. How then should a Christian live?

Pride events presume that non-Christian behaviors and attitudes of Sodom and Gomorrah should be embraced. While not embracing them, the Christian community should still continue to be loving, kind and polite to all people groups even as they don't participate in immoral events like Pride parades, marches, rallies or display Pride flags, etc. It’s important for them to stand for biblical truth! What the Bible condemns Christians should not embrace. Christians shouldn’t celebrate Pride Month any more than they should celebrate Child Molestation Month, Adultery Month, or Debauchery Month.

Christians should take a thoughtful, tactful and wise evangelistic attitude when confronted with such issues (John 14:6; Acts 1:8). We can’t assume that non-Christians will act according to Scripture. They won’t! (Rom. 1:18, 24-32; 8:7-8). We should, however, take the posture of knowing that while we live in such a culture we don’t have to participate in it (cf. John 15:19; 17:14-16). When the opportunity is right, we can rise above the Pride-ness and gently but proudly speak about who Christ is and what he has done for his people (1 Pet. 3:15-17). We should "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15) while simultaneously praying that God will give any listeners the "acknowledgement of the truth" that may only be found in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:25).

May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! (Psalm 20:5)

Culture is changed one soul at a time!

References

[1] Biden, Jr. Joseph R. The White House. “A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, And Intersex Pride Month, 2022: May 31, 2022.” (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/05/31/a-proclamation-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-intersex-pride-month-2022/). Last Accessed 2 September 2022.

[2] Sopelsa, Brooke and Gutierrez-Morfin, Noel. NBC News. “15 Best Countries for LGBTQ Expats.” (https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/15-best-countries-lgbtq-expats-n683201). Last Accessed 2 September 2022.

[3] Webster, Emma Sarran. Teen Vogue. “10 Companies That Proudly Stand With the LGBTQ Community.” (https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/10-companies-support-lgbt-community). Last Accessed 28 August 2022.

[4] Helmore, Edward. The Guardian. “25 corporations marking Pride donated over $10m to anti-LGBTQ politicians – study.” (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/14/corporations-anti-lgbtq-politicians-donations-study). Last Accessed 1 September 2022.

[5] The Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (https://reports.hrc.org/corporate-equality-index-2022?_ga=2.194596650.664088036.1662120865-1285550822.1662120865). ). Last Accessed 2 September 2022.

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