It's Personal: Pride

Pride n.

1. A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect
2. An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit

It was 40 years ago yesterday that the Stonewall Riots began in Greenwich Village in New York City. The first time a group of gay people actively rebelled en masse against civil authorities in the United States.

And it was 140 years ago that the term 'homosexual' first made it into print. Which implies that there were no homosexuals prior to 1869, right?

Right.

I can see you squirming. Gay and straight alike. Why? Because you know there were homosexuals prior to 1869. But I tell you there weren't. How is that? Because that wasn't the term for people of the same sex who were attracted to each other. What was the term? Well, that depends on the culture.

For ancient Greeks, older men had relationships with young boys. (And for those of you who are wondering, there continues to be significant debate about Romans 1:26-27, i.e. whether it in fact condemns homosexuality globally or refers rather to a more specified subset of people engaged in altogether egregious relationships.) For many African cultures, those attracted to the same sex were seen as normal parts of the community. And in many Native American cultures, those attracted to the same sex were commonly considered more powerful and more well rounded with their 'Two Spirits'. Many were shamans.

I know, that didn't really answer the question. Because I don't know exactly the name given to those attracted to the same sex in years before 1869.

Where did homosexual come from? And gay, for that matter?

Homosexual is more a medical term that distinguished those attracted to the same sex from those attracted to the opposite sex (heterosexual). A useful word in the scientification - ok, not really a word - of the world. Taxonomizing - also not a word - the world.

And once there was a label for it, there was opposition. From the medical community considering it an abnormality. From the Church who found some scripture to ensure the condemnation not only of the act but of the people. And from the state, the leaders of which could justify considering homosexuals 'others' much like African Americans or disabled persons. Just ask Hitler.

Think about it. Which professions were you taught to trust the most in this world? Well, I know for me, I was taught to trust doctors, policemen, and priests. I - and the rest of the 'homosexual' world - didn't have a chance. Quite the conspiracy, if you ask me. But not even a conspiracy. Just rampant ignorance.

Gay? Ah yes, well, that became one of many code words for those men and women attracted to the same sex to use with others to see if they happened to be one of them or not. I mean, everyone used the word. Priests. Doctors. Policemen. Hell, even Bing Crosby.

That and other codes got these 'homosexuals' well into the 1960s. But not without violence. And raids of establishments where these 'homosexuals' went. And discrimination. And segregation. And downright evil.

So, a bunch of what some might consider low-lifes decided that enough was enough back in 1969. That though doctors and policemen and priests. And mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters did not accept them for who they were, they were damn well ready to accept themselves.

That's one kind of pride.

And to those doctors and policemen and priests and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers who neglect and ignore these 'homosexual' men and women for who God made them just because they think they're better, I suggest you analyze that other definition of pride very closely.

Perhaps pride parades - like the one yesterday in Seattle - have lost much of their meaning. Perhaps they are overly sexual in some instances. And perhaps they don't effectively communicate the love that many same-sex couples share. But, they do serve as a reminder that 'homosexual' men and women, who were taxonomized in the late 19th century as being others often not worthy of respect, are in fact sons and daughters of God who will only be - and should only be - judged when they meet their maker.

With that, I wish all of you - 'homosexual' and 'heterosexual' alike - a very happy pride. The self-respecting kind...