If You Don't Celebrate Pride Month You Hate Christianity
How Denying Queer Jesus is Denying Reality
Every June, the world comes together to celebrate Pride Month, a vibrant festivity that embraces the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. However, what if we told you that the importance of Pride Month could potentially have divine roots in Christianity itself? A burgeoning perspective among progressive scholars suggests that Jesus Christ may not only have been gay but also possibly transgender. While it's an unconventional hypothesis, it seeks to reinforce the significance of Pride Month and its relevance to inclusivity, even within religious contexts.
Consider John 13:23, where it's written, "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him." This emphasis on Jesus' unique affection towards John, paired with his lifelong bachelorhood in a time when marriage was a societal norm, may suggest a sexual orientation divergent from heteronormativity.
While the idea of Jesus being gay is thought-provoking, the proposition of him being transgender adds another layer of intrigue. After all, in Matthew 22:30, Jesus states, "At the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." Angels, as per many biblical interpretations, are androgynous beings, transcending earthly gender constructs. Could this statement reflect Jesus' personal identification with an androgynous state of being?
Consider the iconic Last Supper, widely regarded as a solemn event where Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples. However, viewed through the lens of this fresh perspective, could it not be interpreted as an intimate dinner date of sorts? After all, the setting was intimate, the conversation deeply personal, and the guest list? Exclusively male.
A peculiar detail often overlooked is Jesus' choice of company. His closest companions were twelve men, an all-male entourage, which, viewed in a contemporary context, might suggest a preferred gender for social and personal interactions. While it's crucial not to conflate platonic affection and camaraderie with romantic interest, the absence of women in Jesus' immediate circle does make one wonder about the dynamics of these relationships.
In light of these observations, the Last Supper starts to look less like a formal occasion and more like a cozy gathering of individuals sharing a profound bond. The event itself seems to resonate with the message of Pride Month – one of acceptance, love, and the freedom to be oneself in one's chosen company.
But, what does all of this have to do with Pride Month? It’s simple. If Jesus, a central figure in Christianity, could embody such a broad spectrum of identities, it only reiterates the importance of Pride Month as a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and love - tenets that are fundamentally Christian. It underscores that identities - whether they be gay, straight, transgender, or cisgender - are divine in their own right.
Thus, refusing to acknowledge or celebrate Pride Month can be seen as a rejection of these aspects of Jesus' potential identity, and by extension, a dismissal of core Christian values of love, acceptance, and inclusivity.
This connection between Pride Month and Jesus’ potential queer identity is certainly a controversial proposition, and it's not about pushing an agenda or belittling the sanctity of religious beliefs. Instead, it's about recognizing the possibilities for greater inclusivity within these beliefs themselves, something that could pave the way for deeper understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within Christian communities and beyond.
While these interpretations might be unconventional, they remind us of one undeniable truth: Jesus’ teachings were centered on love and acceptance. Whether he was gay, straight, cisgender, or transgender doesn’t alter that fundamental truth. In the same vein, Pride Month, above all, is a celebration of love in all its forms. So, when we celebrate Pride, we are in essence, echoing the unconditional love that Jesus taught – making it a profoundly Christian celebration too.
I love this perspective! It’s all about love.