The LGBTQAI community echoes the mantra of secular society: Happiness comes from sex, money and power. Life is too busy with work and leisure to have time for religion and/or values.
During this period of Pride celebrations, perhaps it is time to ask who are we and what are our values.
While I tend to believe that racism only benefits the white privileged community and its pillars of consumerism, individualism and secularism, I also believe that racism is baked into our U.S. Constitution.
Blaming the culture for society's negatives is a little like blaming the weather. That is the world we live in, get use to it and work for change.
Let's seek unity first, and open our hearts to compassion, love and care for our neighbor, whatever the sex, sexual orientation, race, age, gender identity or political beliefs.
Let's celebrate Pride joyfully and responsibly, remembering the courage shown by the participants of the Stonewall Riots.
Our history is rich with heroes (local and national) such as Harvey Milk, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney. Let's remember that as we celebrate pride, tradition and history.
In closing, I would like to ask that 10 percent of the Pride profits be donated back to Catholic Charities and the Center on Halsted for all the charitable work they have done for the poor in our community.
God bless,
Joe Murray
Executive Director
Rainbow Sash Movement (LGBTQAI+ Roman Catholics)