Posted on 06/15/2002 12:11:22 PM PDT by Diago
This past weekend was the Cleveland Gay Pride parade and festival. This was my first time attending, having only been to Seattle's previously, during my trip to the West Coast last summer. I was a bit nervous about the idea of marching in the parade, even if it was with the Gay and Lesbian Catholic Ministry, so I opted to help watch our table at the festival during the parade and snap some pictures of the group at the end of the route.
Our table was one of the best out there, IMHO, with a lot of literature and resources available. I minded the table with Bruce, another member of the group, while everyone else was marching. Surprisingly, we had a lot of visitors from early on, and we continued to talk to a lot of people throughout the day. We had a good conversation with a high school age guy and his mother. He is thinking of entering the priesthood, so we directed him to the priest with whom I talked last year about coming out to my parents. A lot of people were surprised to see our ministry, especially with official sponsorship from the Diocese of Cleveland. I hope that maybe our being there will help to bring a few people back to the Church who had left, as well as helping our ministry to grow.
While I was sitting at the table, I told Bruce that I expected to see at least one person from another part of my life that I wouldn't expect to see at Pride. Lo, not five minutes later, this girl that I knew somewhat during high school goes walking by. I caught her attention and we talked for a few minutes before she went along her way. I also sighted a guy who looked like someone from the distant past, but I was not exactly sure....I never knew him well back then, and he looked to be with his GF at pride, so I didn't think it was worth the effort to approach him only to find out I was likely mistaken.
Since I was at the table, I didn't get to watch the parade, but I got up and took some pictures as they were coming into Voinovich Park. The catholic group had a very nice sized contingent. There were a whole ton of other religious groups as well, making a very strong showing. I was personally very impressed with Cleveland Pride overall. Sure there were the occasional wild ly dressed drag queens and whatnot, but in large part, I think a family atmosphere was maintained. Drinking was confined to a beer garden area, so the rowdiness level was very reasonable. I personally had a number of pleasant conversations, both at the Catholic table and about the festival. I resisted the urge to spend too much, and only bought a few buttons to wear at such events. Towards the end of the day, I got talking to the VP of the Pride committee at random. That must be a very busy job, organizing such an event....he was trying to recruit me to help out with Pride for next year. I'm considering it, but with my time commitments it's probably not very realistic, plus, I don't feel I could do it justice until I am out to my parents....I'd feel a bit hypocritical. He did say that they had somewhat over 10,000 people this year, which is a few thousand more than last year. I'm very happy to see this event growing, as that bodes well for the atmosphere here in Cleveland. I did hear that there were a few sign waving religious protesters along the parade route...maybe 6 or 8. I guess they had their children out there waving signs....instilling them with a bit of hate. Bah, hate sucks.
Oh, did I mention that I am in the same video as a pornstar?! Ha Ha! It's not really as exciting as I make it sound. The Grid nightclub had Matt Rush, one of the newest stars for Falcon Videos as a special guest at Pride. They were taking roaming video at the festival to play later at the club, and as they scanned past the sexy pornstar they continued on to catch my feet at the edge of the view while I was sitting at the Gay and Lesbian Catholic Ministry table. Our table was almost across from The Grid's table, so we got to watch Matt Rush shirtless signing autographs and posing for pictures most of the afternoon. I felt so uncouth sitting there ogling a pornstar and trying to be a respectable representative of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland at the same time (not like I was the only ogler at our table however). I actually went over and got an autographed picture and shook his hand. He looked like he had such an incredibly thin waist, but I think it was actually that his upper body was just so huge... built right in all the right places... Heh....I felt like such a little girl swooning or something....like Mickey when he gets in giggly schoolgirl mode I suspect. The Stonewall Democrats had the booth next to The Grid, and they had some mighty fine shirtless guys sitting at their table too.
After we took down our table at the pride festival, 7 of us from the Catholic group went out to Snickers for dinner, which is the place that Mickey went with Julie and I when he was in town. This time I ate a bit more frugally and didn't break the bank. We had a really good time at dinner talking the evening away. We also had the same waiter that we had last time....the cute one with attitude. It was less crowded this time, so his attitude was a bit more fun and well adjusted.
After dinner myself and Bruce went to The Grid for some continuing party time. Matt Rush was supposed to be performing there at 1 AM, so we were going to stick around for that. It turned out that Bruce isn't much about dancing, so we just sat and talked for a while. Eventually, Brian [Halderman?}, who coordinates a lot of stuff for the ministry, showed up. He and I danced for a while until the show began. I have to admit that he's a good dancer...he was fun in that he wasn't so entranced in himself to forget to smile and talk to me occasionally....some people get like that, which sucks. He also seems to know a good fraction of everyone....I met a few of his friends during the evening. The Matt Rush show wasn't all I was hoping for....it was just a single song, and our view was somewhat blocked by the tall people who were at the very front by the stage. We eventually left and headed over to Twist in Lakewood. I've been meaning to check it out to see if it might be someplace I could take Brian and Matt when they visit. We only stayed a short time as it was approaching 3 AM, so I have not decided if I think they'd like it....guess I'll have to go again......hehe.
I was still so totally hyped up during my drive home, and continued to be very awake for a while after that. The whole Pride experience was once again totally energising for me. I felt exactly the same way last summer in Seattle. When I start to feel very alone in my day to day life, it is nice to have that experience of being surrounded by so many gay people, just enjoying life separated from all the little fears and stressors that that surround us on a daily basis.
It's not that I need to be surrounded by gay people all the time, but still being closeted in my home and work environments does take a toll, I realize. There is an amazing weight lifted when I am in an environment where I can just be myself, like with my friends. But, I still need contact with other gay people as well....It has been over 18 months since I've been in a relationship. I don't know that it's normal to feel this alone, but I really do. I guess that I can see why so many people get into meaningless physical relationships, just so they can feel loved and needed for even a brief time. Ah, but enough of this sad talk.
That's exactly how satan gets his foothold. He goes after the ones who are held to the highest standards of piety. Afterwards, infiltration is easy.
We have to keep praying that the ones who were swayed by this evil will come to their senses and turn the tables. That's where the prayer to the Archangel Michael becomes so important.
Message which Our Lady has given to the world through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. The angel said, "Since my message of October 18 has not been made known to the world and has not been fulfilled, I tell you that this is my last message. Previously, the cup was being filled. Now it is overflowing. Many Cardinals, many Bishops and many Priests are on the road to perdition and with them they are bringing many souls. The Holy Eucharist is being given less importance (honor). We must avoid God's anger with us by our efforts at amendment. If we beg pardon with sincerity of soul, He will forgive us. I, your Mother, through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, want to tell you to amend your lives. You are already receiving one of the last warnings. I love you very much and do not want your condemnation. Ask sincerely and we will give to you. You should make more sacrifices. Think of the Passion of Jesus."
If that doesn't send a chill down one's spine...
Very chilling. It's on the record from somewhere around 1963. A time when vocations were peaking but also a time when, as we now know in hindsight, that a great evil was infiltrating the seminaries and hierarchy.
Eventually, Brian [Halderman?}, who coordinates a lot of stuff for the ministry, showed up. He and I danced for a while until the show began. I have to admit that he's a good dancer...he was fun in that he wasn't so entranced in himself to forget to smile and talk to me occasionally....some people get like that, which sucks. He also seems to know a good fraction of everyone....I met a few of his friends during the evening. The Matt Rush show wasn't all I was hoping for....it was just a single song, and our view was somewhat blocked by the tall people who were at the very front by the stage. We eventually left and headed over to Twist in Lakewood.
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Now review this previously posted article which featured Tayek, the diocesan spokesman, and Brian Halderman, the webmaster apperently responsible for the Gay Pride Triangle on the Cleveland Diocese webpage and possibly the "Brian" mentioned in the story above:
Gays defending faith and selves [Openly gay Diocese of Cleveland employee set to join Marianists]
Robert Tayek, spokesman for the Cleveland Diocese, said diocesan officials received about two dozen e-mails earlier this month questioning the church's gay and lesbian outreach.Tayek said it appeared to him that the campaign may have been orchestrated because all the e-mails had the same type of message.
``Why would the diocese be promoting gay and lesbian events when the catecism and the pope have clearly stated this is behavior not to be tolerated?'' one e-mail said.
``Why would you even post the meetings on your website.''
Tayek said the church's position on homosexuality was spelled out clearly in a 1997 statement from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops called ``Always Our Children -- A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children.''Though at times you may feel discouraged, hurt or angry, the statement to the parents said, ``do not walk away from your families, from the Christian community, from all those who love you. In you, God's love is revealed. You are always our children.''
Cleveland resident Brian Halderman is a faithful Catholic who plans to join the Marianist religious order -- the Society of Mary -- this summer as an openly gay man.``Silence is violence on this issue,'' said the 25-year-old Halderman, a member of Ascension Catholic Church in Cleveland. ``Part of the body of Christ is gay, whether you like it or not.''
Halderman, who works for the Cleveland Diocese as the technology utilization manager in its secretariat for education, said he is bothered by conservative members of the church who believe gay Catholics are promoting a homosexual agenda.
``I have no other agenda than that of the gospel and my work is to build the kingdom,'' said Halderman, who is part of a Cleveland Diocese-sponsored support group for gays and lesbians.``If we all stayed focused on loving one another and building the kingdom here on Earth, we would live in a better church and a better world.''
"In your face" militancy. This kind of 'unrepentant sin' is unforgivable and this is why especially 'openly gay' men should not be ordained.
They learn to lie very well. Rationalization takes on a whole new dimension in the queer community.
No.
This looks like a job for The Inquisition
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