The details here are shocking but not surprising. A church wishes to show their support for marriage equality, and their banner is vandalized: the word “equality” are cut out. The gaping “wound” is there as a permanent reminder of the bullying action, and warning to all that visible support for equality will not be tolerated. In many regards, this damage s not as terrifying as a burning cross left on in the front yard, but in another regard, the purpose is similar: to demonstrate that free speech by some will not be tolerated. “Know your place” is the unspoken implication.

The Hollywood United Methodist Church has been vandalized. Someone cut “equality” out of their banner saying “This church supports marriage equality.”

It would be easy to get caught in the text here, and not focus on the subtext. Is this an attempt by the far right wing religious to silence another church which dares to b e a beacon of light for equality and social justice? Or rather simply anti-gay bigots who want to silence any vocalized support for LGBT equality. Or maybe it just seemed like a funny joke- turning the meaning of the sign back upon itself.

But the subtext here is critical. Vandalism is a cowardly act, but at the same time designed implicitly or explicitly to intimidate or produce some fear. That the banner wasn’t merely defaced, but cut- almost as if it had been violated- a true act of “power-over” mentality. and the victorious wound stands as testament that others can silence the message of equality.

About 20 years ago, I went through a phase of receiving hate mail and death threats after a picture of me appeared in the paper, and the article identified me as a gay artist. Ironically, the article was about an award I had received, but it touched off a difficult time. Of the many letters I received in the mail, the most terrifying, weren’t those that said I would be killed, but rather those that described how I would be cut up with a very sharp knife and left to bleed where my wounds would be seen by everyone. I’m fine- the hate threats ceased- but I still remember the potential power of those threats.

The anti-gay groups are currently working very hard to silence any discourse that suggests:

• There are religious people who approve of same-sex marriage.
• Same-sexparents create loving homes and families.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals are simply being who they were born to be.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals are persons of great worth and deserve to be treated with equality in all areas and by everyone.

The solution is to ignore the intimidation and refuse to be silenced. The more  we are out and visible, the harder it is for  our opposition to accomplish their goals to silence us and deter equality. The more we share who we are as individuals, as couples, and as families or as supportive allies, our collective voice will drown out the hatred, lies and misinformation.

via Pro-Equality Church Vandalized « wakingupnow.com.

http://wakingupnow.com/blog/pro-equality-church-vandalized