Today’s guest post was originally published by Marion Jensen on his personal blog: The Open Author. Our gratitude to Marion for letting us share this with our readers and to Jennifer Bunker for allowing me to use the photo.
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This morning I marched in a parade. Yes, that parade.
I was seventeen the last time I was in a parade. I carried a tenor sax and became dehydrated because I was in full band uniform.
I got dehydrated this time around as well, because I was wearing a suit.
I don’t like parades. I don’t like going to them, let alone marching in them. The heat, the crowds, the . . . social interaction. Give me a dusty bike trail or a small boardgame night with friends and family any day of the week.
But today I stepped way out of my comfort zone, and marched in a pride parade. I marched with a group of Mormons who went to share a simple message, “We love you.”
Although I marched in a group I drove to the parade alone. This almost made me turn back about a dozen times. I knew no one. There I was, walking down the street in a suit and tie, asking a woman in a leotard if she knew which way to the pride parade. I’m sure she wondered if I suffered from heat stroke.
But I found my people. I didn’t count, but wouldn’t be surprised if there was over 400 of us. Brothers and sisters and children, decked out in their “Sunday best”, carrying rainbow flags and signs. I think my favorite sign quoted a primary song.
I’ll walk with you, I’ll talk with you, that’s how I’ll show my love for you.
The event was amazing. We were right behind the grand marshall, so second in line. As we marched, the crowed cheered, clapped, and at times even roared. I can only hope the love we were trying so desperately to show matched the love they showed us. A few images I will never forget:
A middle-aged woman in a tank top, stood on the sidelines, crying. She kept saying over and over, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” A woman marching next to me went over and embraced her.
A five-year-old girl, marched in front of me with a sign that said, “Free Hugs.” Many people took her up on the offer.
A man rode in a wheelchair with a walker on wheels attched to it. The walker was empty the entire time because the woman who supposedly needed it was bouncing back and forth to each side of the parade, waving and waving and waving.
I can’t explain why I felt compelled to go and march. I’m not gay. None of my immediate familiy members are gay, at least not that I know of. I’m told that the social, political, and religious issues surrounding homosexuality are complex. I won’t profess to be an expert on any of them. In fact, I’m pretty slow. I like things simple. One of my favorite parts of the bible is when Jesus boils everything down to two commandments. Only two.
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets.
That I can understand.
With apologies to Thomas S. Monson: Miles were walked. Tears were shed. Bridges were built.
I LOVE this. Wish I could have been there.
Beautiful! It was a magical moment to be a part of. One I will never forget.
Wow, what a powerful experience. Thanks so much for sharing, Marion. I really wish I could have been there!
Love is what it is all about. I am glad you helped spread that message, and I wish I could have been there.
Sweet as.
I am so happy to see this. Yes, the gospel is simple. Love God and love others. Everything else depends on those 2 commandments. I wish I could have been there as well.
I didn’t march. I just watched. And it was beautiful. (Also, I love what Marion wrote about this. Thank you!)
Beautiful, Marion! I wish I lived in Utah today!
I tear up every time I see these photos. Wish I could have been there.
Ah, this totally choked me up. So beautiful. Wish I could have been there, too. Thanks for sharing this!
Wow- thanks for posting. My brother and his wife were there and I can see them in the picture! He is the one in the tie and sunglasses holding the “Love thy neighbor as thyself” poster.
One of my dear friends from high school and her hidden marched in this parade. I was so proud of them. And I am so grateful for this blog entry that really just sums it all up so beautifully.
Haha- “children” not “hidden”. Gotta love my iPhone.
I’m not going to say I loved this. Nor did I hate it. I remain extremely neutral on the situation. I do watch with great interest to see how the LDS church deals with the homosexual issue now and in the future. Will they make decisions “in the absence of direct revelation” based compromise and PR in this case as well?
Love really is the answer, but I would say that to truly love in the way the Savior loves us, takes a great deal of understanding, pondering and most especially faith. I think sometimes when we say that we all should love everyone unconditionally, perhaps we are trying to emulate the love of the Lord that we do not fully comprehend? As humans, we often try to put volatile, sometimes corruptible human attributes, on an incorruptible perfect God.
In my book, the answer at least for now in my mind, seems to be not so much trying to force the issue in either direction, but to focus that energy on becoming as He is, so that we may see things in the way, and love in the way, that He does. What better way?
all the best,
Awesome! Tears were shed for me too!
Standing in the crowds, watching the parade, I can say without a doubt that this was the most powerful moment I experienced the whole day. As a former Mormon and a bisexual woman in a same-sex relationship, seeing this support meant something so different to me. I needed to see that there are members of the LDS community that are caring and open-minded, that there are LDS members who do not hate me simply for loving and allowing myself to be loved. As you all walked past me, I cried and kissed the woman that I love more than I’ll ever be able to comprehend. Thank you for your support. You touched so many more lives than you’ll ever realize.
just one question along with my kudos. what do u mean “apologies to Thomas Monson”?