06/10/2026
š Observations from an ex-evangelical on Pride Month:
ļæ½I was told to be afraid of it, but no one explained why. It was made known that āGodā was somehow angry or disappointed. Halloween had sure signs of demons running aloof. So I was told it was bad, and I could see some things my brain registered as red flags. But everywhere I looked, there were people experiencing joy. A ton of it. Kids, teens, adults, grandparents. Either I was wrong and totally missing out, or they were wrong, and the consequences were eternal. Well, at least thatās what I was told. It was as if they were saying: āTrust us over what you see.ā
So we hid in the dark, which only added to the āfearā of what was out there. It was rooted in the fear that whatever āthatā was could not only disrupt what we had, but literally harm us. I was afraid of Halloweenānot because of any actual threat, but because of the unknown behind it.
Turns out, it was all bu****it. A way to exert more power over peopleās bodies and however they defined āsouls.ā
Until one day, the church "took back" Halloween for Jesus. About time Jesus got a holiday. All we had to do was dress as Bible characters, and the devil couldn't touch us with his evil tentacles of death and destruction, delivered through Mounds bars no one ever asked for or wanted. This turned out to be a recurring sentiment: we know more than you.
Then I was made aware of Pride Month. Again, I wasn't sure what it was or what was so evil about it, but those "safe" adults around me made sure I was to fear it. Not to learn why people celebrate it, or the history behind it, even though these people were my neighbors, classmates, and fellow church members. But everywhere I looked, there were people experiencing joy. A ton of it. Either I was wrong, or they were so blind to their wrongness that they couldn't even see how wrong their wrongness was.
We were told to trust these "safe" adults over our own eyes. To trust the "safe" adults over our own guts. To trust these "safe" adults over ourselves.
What was the actual threat? And if we believe these things were in fact evil, who benefits the most from that belief? Not the vulnerable or marginalized. Not the closeted teens in our youth group. Not the victims of sexual violence. Not the adults who were terrorized out of being their fullest selves. The ones who benefited most were the "safe" adults who wanted to control our behaviors, bodies, and minds, because it made them feel powerful and safe.
I am proud to celebrate Pride Month with my q***r friends and family. I am also sad for the former versions of Kris that missed out on celebrating, including, and empowering the q***r people in my life. And I am aware that those institutions, those "safe" adults, and my own active belonging in those toxic institutions caused real harm to others.
So to all: happy Pride Month! And to those evangelicals still hiding in the dark, watching the bright colors, the joy, the laughter, and the sacredness that has always lived within every body (yes, including q***r bodies), you're welcome to join the celebration. It is so much better than what was handed to you.
Want to learn more? Let's grab coffee or a drink.
Have some $$$$ you'd like to donate to a local cause? Trans Northland is one of many great resources for the LGBTQIA+ community.
š DONATE: https://www.transnorthland.org/ š
