We Are Family

Overview – The Theme for this Month is Pride, Pentecost and Power. This is a time when a

number of different seasons come together we are reminded of powerful moves of the Holy

Spirit for justice in our world. Last week we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, this week is Pride

Sunday, next week we mark Juneteenth and at the end of the month we tie it all together.

Last week we reflected on the story of the Azusa Street Revival of 1906. It sparked the

worldwide movement of Pentecostalism. Some of us have a complex relationship with

Pentacostalism because it is often associated with a kind of conservatism that has been

destructive in some of our lives.

Another movement to look at in this season is the Queer Ballroom Scene. I thought it began in

the 1970s but it dates back as far as the 1890s to underground queer communities in New York,

Chicago and Baltimore/DMV. They were interracial AND contested spaces. Building off the idea

of debutante coming out balls that were held for women, they both drew from the

In the 1970s predominantly Black and Latino queer folx reclaim this tradition but shift it to

center their culture and traditions. They create spaces where they are not having to fight with

white cultural norms and establish the idea of houses. Kinship communities that align and

compete against each other.

Taking folks in

Pride and Pentecost are about:

1. Creating Hush Harbors to celebrate and connect with God

2. Building family units (like class groups)

3. Competitions where people who are devalued every where else are celebrated (similar

to Black churches)

The VISION for US – To be a Jesus-centered community of people of every race, class, sexual

orientation, age, language, ability, and gender expression who love each other and are living

into Jubilee-filled world!

Reflections Questions

1. Ballroom communities were founded on a sense of love and belonging that is missing in

too many faith communities, social movements and neighborhoods. How can we be

rooted in a true space of safety in a time when so much seems unsafe in the world?

2. Ballroom houses created chosen families for folks who were often abandoned by their

blood families. Where are we building kinship? Where do we need to go deeper? How

do you feel called to make our kinship more real?

3. Celebration is a core part of ballroom culture that we need in this time when fear seems

so prevalent. How might be we create more space for the joy that overcomes fear?