Years ago, I was asked
what the Bible says about anti-racism and LGBTQ issues.
Yes, there are six passages often used against LGBTQ people, and we can discuss them. But the entire Bible is a story of inclusion.
It’s about including the widow, orphan, foreigner, eunuch, and the poor. It’s about redemption, an ancient social practice that reunites those excluded from family.
The Bible’s ultimate message is about the divine mandate to include, and the challenges of making that a reality. Creating space for people who are different takes inner work. It requires calming and strengthening our nervous systems to allow for change and growth.
All forms of oppression are rooted in fear of those who differ from us, and these fears prevent connection, and over time, that disconnection becomes ingrained in our institutions and policies.
This is why I do the DEI work I do. Because to embody the inclusive heart of God, we need strong, skilled nervous systems that can hold our own boundaries while navigating relationships along the edges of our comfort zones, along our growth edges.
It’s not coincidental that that’s also where we can experience surprise, delight, vitality, and incredible faith journeys. May we enter such territory gently, respectfully, and see what is there for us to discover.
I have a range of experience…
With classism:
Growing up poor, working with people struggling with poverty, homelessness and addiction, but also relating to high net worth major donors through my decade as a major gift fundraiser.
With racism:
Participating on an anti-racism committee at work, and ongoing courses and education, particularly around Indigenous history in Canada.
With homophobia and transphobia:
Leading my church to become LGBTQ affirming, and founding Vancouver’s first LGBTQ-focused Toastmasters Club – Queer Voices Toastmasters – to raise up confident public speakers in the queer community.
However, I have a lifetime still to learn.
I acknowledge my incredible privilege as an educated white person, and I step forward with humility and trepidation to use my voice and my power the best I can to the service of my community. Please forgive me my missteps, and reveal them to me as needed, so that I can continue to learn and grow.
Land Acknowledgement
I live, work, play, relate, grow and benefit from being on these lands that were essentially stolen from the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and other Coast Salish peoples.
I deeply regret this history, and I acknowledge the inequities and injustices that continue to this day for our Indigenous brothers and sisters, because their rights were not and have not been respected for hundreds of years.
So in the work I do for the express purpose of helping people reclaim their voices and dignity and in honouring our stories and experiences, I note that the Indigenous people around us and among us have a path of reclamation as well.
May we open ourselves to listen well for what action we may be called to, whether large or small, that can contribute to all of us healing from the harms of colonization and patriarchy, and returning to right relationship with the land, and with all our relations.