photo from http://imgur.com/gallery/bVD9p
The original caption to this photo reads:
“A Christian group shows up to a Chicago Gay Pride parade holding apologetic signs including ‘I’m sorry for how the church treated you.‘”
In many ways the photo speaks for itself… but I’ll just add one thing.
THANK YOU.
Thank you to everyone who has the courage to look at … and SEE … what they don’t understand.
Thank you to everyone who chooses Love over everything.
Thank you to everyone who believes God can exist within and around and through anyone… no matter their race, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, skills, income level, education, etc. etc.
Thank you to everyone who extends compassion and empathy to those who are marginalized in any way.
And thank you to those who see this photo and can’t help but grin.
Wishing you all love, real hugs, and bright tightie whities. 
********************
Related posts:
When you pass yourself on the street one day
Portraits of Love
Fierce Courtesy
Do Ask, Do Tell
Anatomy of Love Series (a personal look at the experience of a Lesbian Mennonite navigating the unpredictable waters of non-traditional faith and love):
Angel said,
January 27, 2012 at 11:31 am
Wow.
and.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3
Starla J. King said,
January 27, 2012 at 11:53 am
Angel… YES… EXACTLY!!!!!
(p.s. you are definitely in my Thank Yous)
Angel said,
January 27, 2012 at 1:29 pm
and you in mine, my fabulous friend
patti said,
January 27, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Restores my faith in humanity…Amen!
Starla J. King said,
January 27, 2012 at 3:24 pm
p, I know, right?!?!?! I SO LOVE THIS ! xo
Farel said,
January 27, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Beautiful
Starla J. King said,
January 27, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Farel, I love seeing you here. Thank you!
Mir said,
January 28, 2012 at 10:00 am
Speaks Truth as well as anything I have ever seen.
Starla J. King said,
January 30, 2012 at 11:47 am
Mir — YES!!!!!!!!
Jordan A. said,
January 30, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I found this because a friend of a friend on Facebook shared it. I think this is so great, especially being a Christian myself. For a season, my friends and I were talking about we felt like the church in general, granted not all within it, was just picking on gay people too much. It’s just nice to see some of my fellow Christians apologizing to a group of people that they recognize they probably were too hostile to at points.
You know, people can debate all day on whether it’s right or wrong, who said what said, and blah blah blah. That’s all well and good because people are entitled to their opinions, and don’t condemn those who disagree with me. But it doesn’t get to the heart of it, which is that gay people are PEOPLE, and equally deserving of love and respect as anyone else. I almost wanted to cry at this picture, because it shows love following through as action. I personally believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe that God has given to us, and that it can transcend boundaries that other things cannot. If anyone doesn’t believe in God it’s all good, but we can probably all agree that love is a good thing, and that it’s powerful. I believe everyone deep down has the capacity to love, and I mean love in the sense that they feel it to be something bigger than themselves. Something that they can share and not have to just keep; something that betters all of us.
Civil rights leader John M. Perkins said, “Love is the final fight.” I truly believe that. If there’s one thing I see in this picture, it’s love that is fighting for reconciliation between people who were previously at odds. Love that’s fighting for relationship. Love that’s fighting for love itself, and a loving environment. It’s a good thing. Anyway, good stuff. Loved this little story. Have a good one, all.
Starla J. King said,
January 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Ah, Jordan, what a *beautiful* response! I have chills …
“I almost wanted to cry at this picture, because it shows love following through as action.” That’s exactly how I felt when I saw the picture (and why I just HAD to share it in a blog post), and I think your words are powerful about the importance of the follow through of ACTION.
I think sometimes the phrases “love conquers all” or “it is all about love” or “love is all that truly matters” sometimes become cliche, but as your response says, that really IS the case.
Your last paragraph about seeing love fighting for all those things — YES! We do have love on our side in this “fight” don’t we? And love on “their” side (whoever the other side may be in any issue/situation).
Thank you for taking the time to share your heartfelt words and wisdom, Jordan. *hugs*