Rainbows and Justice

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Yesterday I was one of many who showed up at Saint John City Hall to witness the raising of the Inclusivity flag on what was the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. 


Rainbow colours and great rejoicing filled the square in support of the 2SLGBTQQiA+* community. 

*2SLGBTQQIA+ is a place holder that stands for 2-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and everyone else.


Still, one by one the courageous speakers spoke of how disturbing and frightening these days are amid the current political climate in New Brunswick in response to the provincial government’s plan to review Policy 713. 


The current debate on Policy 713 and in particular, our Premier’s recent comments seem to have fuelled a hate filled rhetoric.


A friend who teaches in the Saint John area, shared how she has never received any complaints or questions from parents on Policy 713 in her years of teaching. That changed yesterday (Wednesday) one day after the Premier’s comments. 


She received two vile emails from supposed concerned parents asking what their children were being taught on sexual orientation and gender identity.  When the teacher called the parents to discuss their questions, both parents spewed hate and rhetoric in the name of religion.  By the time she defused the conversation and left the school, she was so upset that she sat in her car and cried. 


Yes, the parent’s hate filled response could be a coincidence. Still the timing does beg the question.


Hearing this story left me feeling deeply saddened and angry. First, I am saddened that anyone’s heart is so filled with hatred and that they feel entitled to subject it upon a teacher. Second, as  woman of faith, I am angry that someone would use religion as a basis for hatred - repeating a pattern that has been used over the ages. My faith serves as a foundation of love and justice.  


We have seen it happen over and over again. We witness how one person’s remarks, especially when that person is in a position of power, can either be life giving or death bearing. Such is the climate of today. 


My heart aches for how the public discourse is unfolding. How twisted the story can become. If you have not yet read Policy 713, I invite you to take a few minutes, do a quick Goggle search and read it. You will discover that some of the things proclaimed by some politicians is not accurate. 


The day was not over. 


Early evening, I was on my way home, heavy in heart, after a challenging pastoral encounter. Like that school teacher I drove home in tears. Still grateful for the opportunity to accompany another on a difficult journey, meanwhile wishing I could do more. 


Driving home the sky darkened. The rain pounded. Matching my mood. It was as if Sky was weeping with me. 


Then low and behold, as I drove off the ferry and turned for home, the sun came out and directly in front of me was this rainbow you see above. So magnificent I pulled over and took the picture. Twas pure gift. 


By the time I got home, I was ready to pick up the mantle once again and write a few more letters to the powers that be.


For me the rainbow is a sign of hope. A sign that all Creation is beloved. That’s you. That’s me. That’s everyone! There’s no need to fear the diversity of Creation.


How about you? 

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 18, 2023 at 9:53 PM

    Thanks for the nudge to read Policy 713. Well done New Brunswick school system! I cry too at so much unreasoned hatred. Thank you to all who choose to uplift each other in our diversity rather than tear down. Look to the rainbow and smile! Thanks, good friend. Keep up the good work! Beth B

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 12:53 AM

    Thank you, Elizabeth. You prompted me to look up and read Policy 713. It IS very upsetting that the Higgs government is doing this review. My heart gies out to the students from homes where homophobia or transphobia exists and in some cases is based on fundamental religious views. How can such parents “ rights” take precedence over the life of a child. It is soooo sad.

    That rainbow photo is lovely, and a sign from God. I remember you once told me there were no such things as coincidences.

    Blessings on all you do, Elizabeth, and courage to carry on.


    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 5:39 AM

    I love reading your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 7:40 AM

    Bravo and Amen, Elizabeth! Well said.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 9:49 AM

    It's become a media story, how I dislike media stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 11:55 AM

      Thank you for being you / a voice of reason / one of true love and of true faith

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 1:22 PM

    Great read Elizabeth and I seem to see a bit of hope in the actions of the students in Saint John and more recently Moncton. I cannot understand a few people making enough noise to create all this buzz, obviously as I said on another post.. go and home school your children if this bothers you so much, keep your kids in the dark ages like yourselves....the children in quite a few high schools don't agree with what's happening as they are definitely out showing support for their fellow students. What a really sad situation indeed when parents lash out at teachers who are doing their job. Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 19, 2023 at 5:22 PM

    Thank you for your activism Elizabeth.

    ReplyDelete
  8. TracyMay 20, 2023 at 6:25 PM

    As always Elizabeth, thank you for opening our hearts and minds and encouraging us to be informed and to act. But most of all…to always extend kindness and love. Your writings are always filled with an abundance of wisdom, kindness and love…a blessingđź’•

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 26, 2023 at 6:12 PM

    Thank you Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousMay 28, 2023 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you for finding peace in the mayhem

    ReplyDelete

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