Back in the day when many people thought of “us” and “them,” only a quarter of the American public supported same-sex marriage. We heard all kinds of people ranting that it would destroy the institution of marriage, but over the years we have seen same-sex couples actually strengthening the importance of marriage.
With the increased acceptance of LGBTQ persons, the percentage of people identifying as LGBTQ has doubled form 3.5% in 2012 to 7.2% in 2022, according to a Gallup poll. It’s not that more people are LGBTQ, it’s that more are willing to say they are without fear, but that’s not true uniformly across the Nation.
There are still parts of this country where people won’t so identify, fearing what could happen to them. Although most of us in the Northeast think that fear and hatred of LGBTQ persons is limited to states we may consider backward, we need to be on guard when such animosity raises its ugly head among us. We are all children of God.
Prayer for the Day
As you are infinite, so is your creation, human and non-human alike,
For nothing nor no one is alien in your sight;
Your model of love covers humankind in our variety,
Showing us indeed that your world has so much to offer.
Grace us, O Holy One, with not just tolerance but acceptance,
So we continue to grow in love with one another.
In the name of the One who is our model of love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It’s stunning in its reversal. In my opinion, it’s the most significant and substantial shift in public opinion of the modern polling era.
Alex Lundy, Republican pollster
While I believe in traditional marriage, Obergefell is and has been the law of the land upon which LGBTQ individuals have relied.
Mitt Romney in statement supporting Respect for Marriage Act
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my \whole heart.,
In the company of the upright in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is God’s work and God’s righteousness endures forever.
God has gained renown by wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Psalm 111: 1-4