This year when the banners came down letters went out, and the program's founder is walking away in part because of backlash to what started as a fundraiser for local scholarships
This is exactly why we need to continue doing these banners each year! We need to show the LGBTQ+ population that most of us do welcome them here! We need to stand up and be louder than the few who make a big stink. If you ever go to the events they are up in arms about (I’m remember drag story hour) there are WAY more people supporting that protesting.
Also if the banners do continue can someone tell me where to sign up? I would have purchased a banner the past 2 years if I had know how and where!
Here "we" (as a society) go again. While this type of bile is not uniquely American, it is our culture I'll address. How is it that a nation that spends so much time and energy "celebrating" freedom spend even more time stifling it.? Why can't we just live and let live.? We are a people who treasure these words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . . " while minimizing the fact that they were written by men who purchased and held slaves. Hypocrisy is a deep-rooted modius operandi in the American experience. Our nation has marginalized Native Americans, African Americans, Chinees Americans, Japanese Americans, ad infinitum. Anyone who does not fit into the status quo's mold finds themselves caught in the self-proclaimed moral citizens' crosshairs. Shame! Shame on US! (The Divided States).
This makes me so angry. But I'm not surprised. Many people think this valley is something different than other places. That we are welcoming, and dont harbor ill feelings. That is simply bs! People need to open their eyes. We have plenty of red necks, homophobes, bigots. We are no different than other communities in this country. The culture wars are here! "They" will attack anything they are afraid of. School books and history lessons, anybody different from themselves including religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, civil rights. Many of them dont know how to think for themselves so they get spoonfed by the extreme right...pastors, news organizations, politicians. But they believe one thing fervently: that their beliefs outweigh anybody elses.
So here is what I have to say. If this community gives in to these hateful fearmongers, they win. And they will have their way in any controversy, even those they make up. People need to rise up and fight for what is right. I have had enough of this shit! This behavior simply cannot be ignored! If it is, things will only get worse. What do we need to do people? Who or what needs to ne supported in this effort and anything else that comes up?
This is so frustrating. As a Wenatchee born an raised and lived my first 45 yrs there, I have always been encouraged and excited by what seemed to Finally be some more progressive views. I hate that these same sex couples are vilified. I DO believe the area is at least somewhat of an outlier. Look at that list of pastors! All men, all most likely white. I think the valley has long felt like a "safe space" for bigotry and finger pointing. I so hope those groups will take up this cause so it does not fall on the shoulders of individuals whom I Applaud for their work so far!
I also got the letters as my counseling agency, New Life Counseling, sponsored a banner for the past two years. Here's my response to the writers:
Bowers & Malstead families,
Re: your letters concerning New Life Counseling’s Gay Pride banners:
My support of the LGBTQ+ community is firmly motivated by my desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. For far too long many “christians” have judged and condemned the queer community, behaving completely contrary to what Jesus taught us. I strongly feel that the long term judgment and persecution my church has leveled against these folks needs to be repented of and we Christians need to take a good look at our hearts, stop making God into our image, stop condemning these people and begin to instead share the grace and mercy we claim to be recipients of.
If you are truly concerned about the issue of sexual deviancy, I recommend you look into the recent Southern Baptist Convention’s study on sexual abuse in their organization, a study which reflects on sexual abuse within all Protestant denominations. As a former sex crimes investigator I can assure you that the risk to our children is not the LGBTQ+ community, but heterosexual men, some of which hide behind their positions of authority in the church.
I have though, as you asked, reconsidered my sponsorship of Pride month next year. My wife insisted that we also sponsor a personal banner as a couple in addition to mine from New Life Counseling.
And if I may offer some advice; do a little research into who you are sending these letters to. Addressing them to “Owner and/or Operating Manager” shows a lack of real interest in who you are reaching out to and could be considered disrespectful at best and rude at worst.
This is exactly why we need to continue doing these banners each year! We need to show the LGBTQ+ population that most of us do welcome them here! We need to stand up and be louder than the few who make a big stink. If you ever go to the events they are up in arms about (I’m remember drag story hour) there are WAY more people supporting that protesting.
Also if the banners do continue can someone tell me where to sign up? I would have purchased a banner the past 2 years if I had know how and where!
Here "we" (as a society) go again. While this type of bile is not uniquely American, it is our culture I'll address. How is it that a nation that spends so much time and energy "celebrating" freedom spend even more time stifling it.? Why can't we just live and let live.? We are a people who treasure these words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . . " while minimizing the fact that they were written by men who purchased and held slaves. Hypocrisy is a deep-rooted modius operandi in the American experience. Our nation has marginalized Native Americans, African Americans, Chinees Americans, Japanese Americans, ad infinitum. Anyone who does not fit into the status quo's mold finds themselves caught in the self-proclaimed moral citizens' crosshairs. Shame! Shame on US! (The Divided States).
This makes me so angry. But I'm not surprised. Many people think this valley is something different than other places. That we are welcoming, and dont harbor ill feelings. That is simply bs! People need to open their eyes. We have plenty of red necks, homophobes, bigots. We are no different than other communities in this country. The culture wars are here! "They" will attack anything they are afraid of. School books and history lessons, anybody different from themselves including religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, civil rights. Many of them dont know how to think for themselves so they get spoonfed by the extreme right...pastors, news organizations, politicians. But they believe one thing fervently: that their beliefs outweigh anybody elses.
So here is what I have to say. If this community gives in to these hateful fearmongers, they win. And they will have their way in any controversy, even those they make up. People need to rise up and fight for what is right. I have had enough of this shit! This behavior simply cannot be ignored! If it is, things will only get worse. What do we need to do people? Who or what needs to ne supported in this effort and anything else that comes up?
This is so frustrating. As a Wenatchee born an raised and lived my first 45 yrs there, I have always been encouraged and excited by what seemed to Finally be some more progressive views. I hate that these same sex couples are vilified. I DO believe the area is at least somewhat of an outlier. Look at that list of pastors! All men, all most likely white. I think the valley has long felt like a "safe space" for bigotry and finger pointing. I so hope those groups will take up this cause so it does not fall on the shoulders of individuals whom I Applaud for their work so far!
Yes kudos to Elvis, but hopefully a bigger group with a little more clout can take this on!
I also got the letters as my counseling agency, New Life Counseling, sponsored a banner for the past two years. Here's my response to the writers:
Bowers & Malstead families,
Re: your letters concerning New Life Counseling’s Gay Pride banners:
My support of the LGBTQ+ community is firmly motivated by my desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. For far too long many “christians” have judged and condemned the queer community, behaving completely contrary to what Jesus taught us. I strongly feel that the long term judgment and persecution my church has leveled against these folks needs to be repented of and we Christians need to take a good look at our hearts, stop making God into our image, stop condemning these people and begin to instead share the grace and mercy we claim to be recipients of.
If you are truly concerned about the issue of sexual deviancy, I recommend you look into the recent Southern Baptist Convention’s study on sexual abuse in their organization, a study which reflects on sexual abuse within all Protestant denominations. As a former sex crimes investigator I can assure you that the risk to our children is not the LGBTQ+ community, but heterosexual men, some of which hide behind their positions of authority in the church.
I have though, as you asked, reconsidered my sponsorship of Pride month next year. My wife insisted that we also sponsor a personal banner as a couple in addition to mine from New Life Counseling.
And if I may offer some advice; do a little research into who you are sending these letters to. Addressing them to “Owner and/or Operating Manager” shows a lack of real interest in who you are reaching out to and could be considered disrespectful at best and rude at worst.
Sincerely,
Mike Magnotti