Rainbow Sash Movement
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The word “confrontation” usually means facing a direct challenge. Some in the
Church attribute the wearing of the Rainbow Sash as a form of polemic of opposing
views. The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM) believes there is a deeper meaning to
the wearing of the Rainbow Sash beyond confrontation. Instead it is a direct attempt
to have the Rainbow Sash Movement and the Bishops face each other, and attempt to
clarify a misunderstanding based on homophobic notions of LGBT People.
Clarification not confrontation is at issue when members of the Rainbow Sash
Movement wear the Sash at the Cathedral of St. Matthews in Washington DC.
Contrary to some US Bishops the wearing of the Rainbow Sash is neither
confrontation/protest or political. It is an attempt to tell our stories outside the
framework of homophobia. By misrepresenting the intentions of the Rainbow Sash
Movement love is replaced with fear and rejection and has become the sign of the
times within the Body of Christ.
The fear of which we speak is the fear of encountering others with irrational and
unnatural fears when encountering different ways of being human. When we are
denied the Holy Eucharist based on our sexual orientation, or even a
misunderstanding of our intentions we believe it threatens the Catholic Community
‘s ability to achieve authentic community.
The Rainbow Sash Movement's response to the Bishops has been measured and
respectful. We have attempted to theologize our actions. We cannot speak of women’
s rights, immigrant rights or the rights of people of color without including in this
discussion the rights of LGBT people.
The Rainbow Sash Movement raises the voices of silence. By wearing the Rainbow
Sash at the Cathedral the weekend of the March On Washington we are
highlighting the ugly wound homophobia. This wound has become like a spiritual
cancer on the Mystical Body of Christ. We continue to call for dialogue based on the
Diversity of opinions on sexuality, and mutual respect.
We believe the challenge for GLBT Catholics is to be part of the conversation to
further understand what constitutes our Communion with the divine in a
multicultural Church. This understanding must replace fear with love, while at the
same time demonstrating it is based on both scientific clarity and pastoral concern. It
is time that any ministry of service to the GLBT Community moves from the politics
of fear to the politics of hope.
John Pell
Rainbow Sash Movement
Church attribute the wearing of the Rainbow Sash as a form of polemic of opposing
views. The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM) believes there is a deeper meaning to
the wearing of the Rainbow Sash beyond confrontation. Instead it is a direct attempt
to have the Rainbow Sash Movement and the Bishops face each other, and attempt to
clarify a misunderstanding based on homophobic notions of LGBT People.
Clarification not confrontation is at issue when members of the Rainbow Sash
Movement wear the Sash at the Cathedral of St. Matthews in Washington DC.
Contrary to some US Bishops the wearing of the Rainbow Sash is neither
confrontation/protest or political. It is an attempt to tell our stories outside the
framework of homophobia. By misrepresenting the intentions of the Rainbow Sash
Movement love is replaced with fear and rejection and has become the sign of the
times within the Body of Christ.
The fear of which we speak is the fear of encountering others with irrational and
unnatural fears when encountering different ways of being human. When we are
denied the Holy Eucharist based on our sexual orientation, or even a
misunderstanding of our intentions we believe it threatens the Catholic Community
‘s ability to achieve authentic community.
The Rainbow Sash Movement's response to the Bishops has been measured and
respectful. We have attempted to theologize our actions. We cannot speak of women’
s rights, immigrant rights or the rights of people of color without including in this
discussion the rights of LGBT people.
The Rainbow Sash Movement raises the voices of silence. By wearing the Rainbow
Sash at the Cathedral the weekend of the March On Washington we are
highlighting the ugly wound homophobia. This wound has become like a spiritual
cancer on the Mystical Body of Christ. We continue to call for dialogue based on the
Diversity of opinions on sexuality, and mutual respect.
We believe the challenge for GLBT Catholics is to be part of the conversation to
further understand what constitutes our Communion with the divine in a
multicultural Church. This understanding must replace fear with love, while at the
same time demonstrating it is based on both scientific clarity and pastoral concern. It
is time that any ministry of service to the GLBT Community moves from the politics
of fear to the politics of hope.
John Pell
Rainbow Sash Movement
