Happy Pride from a Random Presbyterian, Christian Pastor!
If what follows speaks to you, please forward it along to anyone who needs to hear or read these words of affirmation, lament, and love. The video is on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and the entire text is threaded over on BlueSky.
A few words of affirmation, lament, and love during Pride Month 2025!
My name is Bruce Reyes-Chow and I'm a Presbyterian, Christian pastor, and I'm popping on here to wish you a Happy Pride!
This year, I, again, add my voice to the chorus of other religious leaders to publicly and purposefully affirm our LGBTQIA+ siblings, a part of the beloved community that too many other Christians do not. I know that many churches, campus ministries, and religious leaders have inflicted emotional, spiritual, and physical trauma upon your personhood — all in the name of God.
And while I don't presume to speak for or apologize on behalf of these Christian organizations and individuals, I do name them and lament the pain heaped upon you by those with whom I share a common, sacred text and profess a belief in the one called Jesus.
Too many Christians have preached a gospel of "Hate the sin, love the sinner."
To be clear, this is theological malpractice that disguises hate as love. This ideology reinforces cultures and justifies acts that perpetuates spiritual trauma, emotional abuse, and physical violence and death. I and others lament this reality, but make no mistake, we also reject this version of the Christian faith and want you to know that many of us affirm the fullness of your personhood. Full stop.
Our affirmation is overt, steadfast, and absolute.
I fully acknowledge that your humanity needs no affirmation by some random leader of a tradition that has historically weaponized a person's sexuality and gender in order to uphold power, influence, and wealth.
That said, if there's any part of your soul that has yearned to hear an acknowledgement of pain caused, if you need to hear even a whisper of hope and healing, or if you have wondered if there are allies and accomplices out there, I hope you hear from me and other people of faith, and not only during pride, that you are loved.
This Christian, Presbyterian, Filipino-Chinese-American dad, pastor, spouse, and human loves you.
Happy Pride.
