Today begins Pride Month and it is especially relevant this year, as SCOTUS prepares to destroy foundational support of human rights, as hate-fueled monsters massacre innocents to satisfy their gun-lust, and America is struggling to remain a modern democratic republic.

A (very) short history lesson:

On June 28th, 1969 after decades of police harassment, LGBT New Yorkers defended themselves as the police raided the Stonewall Inn. In those days many parts of this country had draconian laws against the community. The police and mafia extorted patrons of the Stonewall and similar establishments. The breaking point had been reached, and three drag queens (I’m not entirely certain how they identified, I will correct this labeling if better ones are given) lead the pushback, one of whom was Marsha P. Johnson, a black probably gender non-conforming warrior.

So as we celebrate Pride, let’s not forget that it was black and non-white drag queens/gender non-conforming/trans people who lead the way forward. They put their lives on the line for all of us.

I try to live a nonviolent life. But non-violence is not the same as complicity.

As my great friend and spiritual mentor Rev. Jerry Maynard said:

I believe in an active, disruptive peace.
I believe in a peace that disturbs the comfortable and soothes the afflicted.
I believe in a peace that takes risks for others.
I believe in a responsible peace that says, "I got you".

Peace begins with me and it will never be achieved with fists or guns.

Be better. Do better.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Children of God" -Jesus, Sermon on the Mount