|
Get News & Event Updates
|
Suggested Links
Login Form
Syndicate
| Why Pride? |
 By Bjorn WatlandThe end of June marks the start of our attendance at GLBT Pride Festivals around the state. First, we attend the Twin Cities Pride Festival and Parade, then Rochester, LaCrosse, Duluth, and Mankato. Some atheists are puzzled. Of all the summer festivals, why do we go to so many GBLT Pride Festivals? Our attendance at GLBT Fesivals has become a tradition, largely due to the efforts of founding member August Berkshire. We continue this tradition for several reasons. First, GLBT Pride events have been very welcoming. If people, no matter their sexual orientation, are gathered together to support an oppressed minority, I think that people are more aware of how to treat everyone fairly. There are also plenty of GLBT atheists out there who are so exicted to see our organization supporting their rights, both as an atheist and as a GLBT person. Second, I think that the GLBT community and the atheist community have similarities. We are both hated by different religious groups. We both seek respect and understanding. We both can have difficulty with family who don't agree with our identies. We seek social justice and advocate for the rights of a minority. Members of the GLBT community are also strong supporters of the separation of church and state and we can use all of the allies we can in that fight. Lastly, GLBT Festivals are inexpensive to attend and a great way to put our money where our mouth is with regard to supporting equality for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation. I thank you for supporting Minnesota Atheists and our effort to educate the public about atheism.
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 1639 Trackback(0)
Comments (7)
Andy Birkey
said:
|
|||||||||||||
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed|
... It really is great to see the Minnesota Atheists at Pride. I think LGBT people have had some important reasons to think deeply about religion and to think for themselves. I wouldn't have known of MN Atheists without the presence at Pride! |
Moscar
said:
|
... Very good reasons to be allies! Maybe one day we could join forces and made an atheist pride parade and LBGT parade together. |
Eric Jayne
said:
|
... I agree. I think the similarities between people who identify as Atheists, Secularists, Humanists, and/or Agnostics ("ASHA"?) and those who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and/or Transgender make a natural alliance. All identified groups seem to share the same concern for social liberties. We're also constantly maligned by powerful political groups and individuals, including vitriolic cable news pundits and, maybe even more troubling, lawmakers in St. Paul and Washington, DC. And as Bjorn mentions, familial relationships are often deeply affected when one comes out of the closet as GLBT or ASHA. Perhaps therein lies an opportunity to combine identities for shared social interests. Just for fun, if we were to combine, mix and lay out a shared acronym it might look like this: BATHGALS. ;) |
melinda
said:
|
... Please recognize that we as memberes of Minnesota Atheists are not only allies of the LGBTQ community(ies), but also members. As a queer person and an atheist, I am not 'out there' but right here, a member of MN Atheists. I would like to think we don't need to justify the presence of the organization at Pride. I have always been very happy to see the booth, and it was certainly part of the reason I joined. Thank you for continuing to participate in Pride. |
Tom Galson
said:
|
... I agree with this article. I've found using the Gay analogy very useful when explaining how atheists are treated and why they shouldn't be treated that way. Unfortunately, I still get blank looks from some people no matter how hard I try to explain. |
Timm
said:
|
... I feel compelled to share my story. I am a 25 year old gay man who has been out for 10 years come August 11th. Although I am comfortable with my sexuality, I have never used it to garner a sense of pride as I go off of my actions as a human being as my main source. Needless to say I don't attend Pride events despite the purely coincidental fact that I am a true Stonewall baby, born on June 29th (my boyfriend's bday is the day before mine, so he is too). Anyway, next year I would totally consider volunteering as I have noticed I've had a harder time coming out as an atheist then I did coming out as gay. I mean, I social network and I do occasionally let my views out but I've never actually said that I am an atheist to anyone but my boyfriend, younger sister and brother. To show my support for a cause that has taken over my life over the past 2 years. It would be a sort of coming out...again! I actually declared my unbelief at 15 when I decided that I couldn't believe in a god who didn't believe in all forms of love, between any person. The seed of skepticism was apparent but for some reason, I still thought there was value in religion, so I started researching them all. It took me a minute to decide that the way religion is "served" is purely one-sided and taught on devotion and faith (while being damned to hell for asking any questions). It wasn't until I dug into the HISTORY of religion until my critical eyes truly opened. After years of trying to pray, only to be left with the feeling that I was talking to myself, I started to look at the world for what it is and saw how much more awe inspiring life is when looked at through evolutionary eyes... wow, I guess I could go on and on, so I'll leave it at that. Just stumbled on this site today and am already impressed. Much respect from St Paul! |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Freethought Events
Friday, March 12, 2010 12:00 AM
Global Atheist Convention hosted by Atheist Foundation of Australia Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:00 AM
St. Paul Critical Thinking Club Kelly Inn
Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:30 AM
Sunday Brunch at Q.Cumbers restaurant
Sunday, March 14, 2010 1:00 PM
Minnesota Atheists Little Canada Book Club
Sunday, March 14, 2010 6:00 PM
Atheist/Agnostic Alcoholics Anonymous
Monday, March 15, 2010 5:00 PM
Atheists for Human Rights Happy Hour Ol' Mexico restaurant
Monday, March 15, 2010 6:00 PM
Freethought Toastmasters
Polls
Podcast
| Atheists Talk |
|