During the night of June 15, Emmanuel Church, like several homes and businesses, had a Pride flag and banner stolen from the fencing around the church on Cross Street. While it may seem like a small thing, it was and is not. The hurt and pain it caused the church community, particularly LGBTQ members of the church community, is real. For people who have experienced marginalization and denigration, who have been harassed throughout their lives, this was one more insult, one more message that they are not considered fully human or equal to others. One more violation of their dignity; their very selves.
I am grateful that Chief Dixon and the Chestertown Police acted quickly and found the young men who stole property and inflicted this harm. I have asked if I can speak with them- I want them to understand that what they did is not about a flag or a banner, it is about people. It is about violating the dignity of human beings, made, I believe, in God’s image.
In the meantime, I am grateful for how quickly the people of Emmanuel responded with love and support, and for how quickly the Chestertown community pulled together and supported each other. May we continue to do so. May we work together to make this a community where all people, every blessed person, is treated with respect and dignity.
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Sad to say, but the American flag — Old Glory — was desecrated by Trump’s vandals as they assaulted our national Capitol on Jan. 6, and further desecrated its display together with the traitorous Confederate flag and the infamous Nazi swastika.
The Pride banner has become the new symbol of our national aspirations — equality, inclusion, and respect for every citizen.
My favorite part of driving into Chestertown is seeing not only the Pride flag but the lovely messages posted outside.
Thank you for ensuring the Episcopal Church stands for love, in all its configurations.
Keep it up and keep the faith!