Why We Celebrate Pride

Every June, rainbow flags go up—and so does the volume on voices declaring that “pride is a sin.” You’ve probably heard it before: “The Bible says pride is wrong.” “Christians shouldn’t celebrate Pride.” “You can’t be proud and faithful.”

And for those of us who are LGBTQ+, those messages can hit especially hard. Not just because they’re theologically shallow, but because they’ve been weaponized against us for far too long. So let’s talk about it.

When Scripture names pride as sinful, it’s talking about arrogance that exalts itself at the expense of others—a self-centeredness that refuses to listen, refuses to learn, and refuses to love. That’s not the kind of pride we celebrate in June. 

The Pride we celebrate is the kind that says: I will no longer be ashamed of who I am. I will not shrink to make others comfortable. I will live out loud because I was made in the image of God.

Colby Martin says, “When someone who has been repeatedly told they are broken finally embraces the truth that they are beautiful, that is not sinful pride. That is sacred healing.” In other words, this Pride is not about elevating ourselves above others. It’s about reclaiming our God-given dignity in a world—and too often a Church—that has tried to erase it. It’s about truth-telling, embodiment, and freedom.

During Pride month we remember that Pride began as a riot, a sacred protest led by trans women of color who said: No more. And during this month, many of us begin to experience–perhaps for the very first time–what it looks like and feels like to live into the full truth of who we are, as human beings not simply designed to be tolerated, but celebrated.

Rev. Caleb Lines reminds us, “We celebrate Pride not because we are ignoring Scripture, but because we are living into its call to justice, to liberation, to abundant life.” So yes, we celebrate Pride. Not in spite of our faith—but because of it.

And whether we are allies or are in the LGBTQ+ community ourselves, we celebrate Pride because we follow a Christ who stood with the outcast, who broke down walls, who healed what others tried to hide. We live in the Spirit who still moves through queer bodies and voices. We are claimed by a God who calls us beloved and means it. To be clear: We don’t need to earn our place at the table. We already belong. Not because we’ve proven ourselves, but because God has already called us good. Already called us beloved.

So whether you are LGBTQ+ or someone who stands with us—whether you’ve known your identity for decades or are still sorting it out—know this: your presence matters. Your story matters. Your love matters. 

So wear your colors. Tell your truth. Make room at the table. Stand with the ones the world pushes aside. And if anyone asks you why, you can say: Because we know who we are. And we know Whose we are. 

Celebrating Pride as a faithful Christian with you,
Pr. Melissa

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