Massachusetts UU Congregations Show Their Pride

The Arlington Street Church

Rev. Sinkford helps carry the banner

All families are precious - My Moma knew that

On a blazing hot Boston day -- Saturday, June 11, 2005 -- the Arlington Street Church was jammed with nearly 1,000 congregants who joined together to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person as the Boston Gay Pride celebration kicked off with a stirring worship service. A prelude of Village People music set the high energy tone for musicians Heather Small and Peter-John Vettese to perform "Proud," which introduced a colorful parade of banners of participating Unitarian Universalist congregations.

The Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie, Senior Minister of Arlington Street Church, welcomed the congregation and asked them many questions about their roles in life and the number of Pride events they had attended. At least one participant raised a hand for attendance at all 35 parades.

Shea Mullaney, a resident of Plymouth, MA and a published poet, lit the chalice while reading his poem, "Blood and Leaves." The poem, written for the Pride service, pays tribute to Matthew Shepard, the advent of equal marriage in Massachusetts, and the affirming faith of UUs.

Joe Della Penna offered George and Ira Gershwin's classic "Our Love is Here to Stay," as an introit, and this was followed by service leader Kate Starr's stirring invitation to the congregation to honor those no longer alive. In response to the litany, vocalist Adam Sutton sang Josh Groban's "To Where You Are."

The Rev. William Sinkford, UUA President, spoke of how proud and privileged he felt to be at Arlington Street Church with bisexual, gay, lesbian, straight, and transgender people and recalled working at ASC in the 1960's as a "paid" youth advisor -- particularly recalling how the congregation had consistently played a pivotal role in the continuing struggle for social justice. Sinkford also recalled how bisexuals, gays and lesbians were closeted and that during that time being 'out' in the world was not safe. He commented on how it was his privilege to stand up and speak about love as the president of the UUA, representing a liberal religious voice, but that he was also mindful of struggles that remained (mentioning the recent failed vote in the California assembly to make marriage legal for same-sex couples in particular). Sinkford vowed that the UUA will continue to be a voice for equality and respect until justice is done in the nation.

The service also included an offertory and community affirmations for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender/transsexual and intersex people, and heterosexuals. The service concluded with the O'Jay's jubilant recessional song, "Love Train," which brought people to their feet as they exited Arlington Street Church to move to the parade staging area.

An estimated 600 UUs representing nearly fifty Massachusetts congregations marched in the Boston Pride parade. The delegation, which stretched for more than two blocks, was led by a banner reading "Unitarian Universalists: Standing on the Side of Love," which was carried by the Rev. William Sinkford; seminarian Marjorie Matty; The Rev. David Pettee (UUA Director of Ministerial Credentialing) and his daughter; The Rev. Laurie Auffant (Minister of Religious Education, Follen Community Church); Bedford First Parish Religious Education Director Lisa Rubin; Simona Munson (Program Coordinator, UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns), and others.

Often stretching as far as the eye could see, the Unitarian Universalist delegation was by far the largest in the parade, strongly affirming the continuing support by UUs of the bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender community and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

-- Written by Deborah Weiner with reports from Erika Nonken, Marjorie Matty, and Simona Munson.
Photos by Erika Nonken.

In the media:

• 06/16/05 BWeston Town Crier: Gay Pride Week , by Ethan Jacobs
• 06/16/05 Bay Windows: Oppressive heat doesn't wilt Pride: Religious groups, politicians dominate annual Pride march , by Ethan Jacobs

Unitarian Universalist Association
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