A Queer Pilgrim

Not that I should be surprised, but I am about the amazing number of Gen Z people who self-identify as members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. From Axios (as reported on Joe.My.God): "About 28% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQIA2S+, compared with 16% of millennials, 7% of Generation X (born 1965-1980), 4% of baby boomers (1946-1964), and 4% of the Silent Generation (1928-1945).” Not only that, but Gen Z adults are less likely than older generations to join an established religion, while more likely to identify as LGBTQIA2S+, and generally are less likely to be Republican. “Gen Z adults--who now make up about 1 in 6 of the Americans eligible to vote--are more politically left (Democrats) than older Americans, with 43% of them identifying as liberal.”  It is also reported that Gen Z adults are accelerating Americans’ move away from Christianity and toward being unaffiliated with any religion. Here’s a link to the article on Joe.My.God.:  https://www.joemygod.com/2024/01/new-survey-28-

My husband, Christian, and I have found some incredible shows on various streaming services that involve LGBTQIA2S+ people. For example, one of our favorites was “Fellow Travelers” with Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey on Prime Video, highlighting the horrendous way LGBTQIA2S+ people were treated in the 1950s to the 1980s within the federal government, including the story of Roy Cohn and Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The other show that got our attention was a documentary on Hulu, “We Live Here: The Midwest.” The documentary follows LGBTQIA2S+ couples in various midwest states, like Kansas, Minnesota, and Ohio, to name a few. Many of these couples have others members in the family, either from previous heterosexual, married relationships, or other means of pregnancy. While many of the couples were well-accepted in largely rural settings or conservative cities, there were the stories of couples not being accepted and facing alienation from one part of their community or another. Of course, one of

Vandalism continues.  In the last few weeks, our flag, posted in front of the church parking lot, that says, “Abide No Hatred,” with a background of rainbow colors (though not the rainbow flag of the LGBTQIA2S+ community) has been torn twice in the last few weeks. It was torn soon after we replaced it, covering over the message or passage from Romans 1:18-32 that was scrawled in blue spray paint. Thanks to Tim West, who put up the wooden sign post that the flag is posted on, he put grommets around the sign, so it is harder to tear. Thankfully, others have placed an order and sent us more signs.  If interested in sending us a flag, here’s the link:  https://bsgeneralstore.com/products/abide-no-hatred-flag. Though it says it is currently sold-out (!) I’m sure they will re-stock. Our church address is La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Or feel free to go to lamesapresabq.org, and go to our donation page, and make a donation of $45 for a new flag. On