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Rev. Michelle's Message June 8, 2023

Social progress can be a slow, trudging road in which we take many steps forward and then sometimes seem to take just as many backward. On the one hand, Florida has recently passed some of the most oppressive LGBTQ laws in history–restricting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, prohibiting content on gender and sexual diversity in public school sex education, forcing transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender they were assigned at birth, and prohibiting minors from attending any shows with drag performers.

On the other hand, our own Monterey County is making great progress in LGBTQ matters. The Monterey Herald reports that many local cities are celebrating Pride Month by passing resolutions that recognize the problem of ongoing discrimination and pledging greater support for the LGBTQ community. And they are making great strides in LGBTQ representation and visibility, with three Salinas county offices displaying rainbow flags for the first time.

While the city of Monterey has flown a rainbow flag at City Hall in past years, this is the first year they have held an actual flag-raising ceremony in honor of Pride Month. The event was attended by Mayor Tyller Williamson, the first openly gay person to hold the office.

Mayor Williamson shared, “It’s so important for us to show this visible symbol of support. It’s essential and critical. We’re still seeing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation happening throughout the country, even within the state of California.”

Other local cities have similarly held rainbow flag-raising ceremonies in honor of Pride Month.

So we make progress, we take steps backward, and we make more progress. This Pride Month, let’s celebrate the forward progress as we pledge to heed our Way Shower Jesus’ call to continue working for acceptance, compassion, inclusion, and social justice for all.

Many Blessings,

Rev. Michelle




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