Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Rainbow Sash and Yellow Star
They say* that when the Nazis came to Denmark they ordered the Jews to put on the yellow Star of David. King Christian X went out for his usual tour around town the next day...wearing a yellow star. "I am my country's first Jew," he said calmly.
Wouldn't it be nice to see every Catholic--not to mention every Presbyterian, Methodist, Buddhist, pagan, Wiccan and members of Hell's Angels--march into a church currently under the tyranny of Cardinal George on Sunday wearing a rainbow sash? You don't even have to try to take Communion, just sit there and let him gaze out at that room full of rainbows through the whole service.
Bonus points to every person, gay, straight or otherwise, who says to the press sure to be waiting outside that day, "I am my church's first queer."
Just a thought.
*It turns out this story of King Christian and the star may be patriotic hokum, although it IS true that Denmark saved more of its Jews than virtually any other country, smuggling them en masse to Sweden in fishing boats. So put this story in the category of, as the book title had it a few years ago, "I Love Paul Revere Whether He Rode or Not."
Chicago Tribune reports today that a certain Church is on another ban-'em-from-Communion kick. Who is the target of the send 'em to Hell if they can't follow the rules drive this time--pro choicers? Death-with-dignity activists? Pedophiles, maybe? (Naw, I threw that in just for a laugh). Yeah, you guessed it:
"Cardinal Francis George has instructed priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago to deny communion Sunday to those who wear a so-called rainbow sash indicating they are gay or lesbian, WGN-Ch. 9 reported.
"In a letter to pastors, the cardinal said those who wear the sash signal their opposition to church teaching and should not receive communion, WGN reported.
The national Rainbow Sash Movement has asked gay and lesbian church members to wear a sash made from rainbow-colored cloth to show their sexual orientation this Sunday, which is Pentecost on the church calendar.
"In wearing the Rainbow Sash, we proclaim that we are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (and) with our families, friends and loved ones we witness and celebrate our sexuality as a sacred gift," the movement states on its
website.
Wouldn't it be nice to see every Catholic--not to mention every Presbyterian, Methodist, Buddhist, pagan, Wiccan and members of Hell's Angels--march into a church currently under the tyranny of Cardinal George on Sunday wearing a rainbow sash? You don't even have to try to take Communion, just sit there and let him gaze out at that room full of rainbows through the whole service.
Bonus points to every person, gay, straight or otherwise, who says to the press sure to be waiting outside that day, "I am my church's first queer."
Just a thought.
*It turns out this story of King Christian and the star may be patriotic hokum, although it IS true that Denmark saved more of its Jews than virtually any other country, smuggling them en masse to Sweden in fishing boats. So put this story in the category of, as the book title had it a few years ago, "I Love Paul Revere Whether He Rode or Not."
