by Max Niedzwiecki, Integrity New Orleans
This edited article reflects a corrected start time. The parade begins at 7:00 pm not 7:30 as previously stated.
Integrity Pride Fan to be given away during the parade.
…The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Whoever you are and however you describe yourself, you are invited to join in the New Orleans Pride Parade on the evening of Saturday, June 18th. You may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) yourself, or you may know and love someone who is. Or you may simply believe that when Jesus said “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) he was talking about all of your neighbors.
Integrity is bringing together Episcopalians to march under a banner this year because we want the world to know that the Episcopal Church welcomes everybody. Given the massacre in Orlando, this becomes even more important. We are answering hatred and mass murder with love, pride, and courage.
Through donations from the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, several parishes (St. Anna’s, Trinity, St. George’s, Chapel of the Holy Spirit, and St. Andrews), a yard sale and bake sale, and individual donations, we have raised funds to hire a trolley so that all can participate, regardless of their ability to walk distances in the heat. (Seating is very limited, so contact integritynola@gmail.com ASAP if you would like to request a space.) We have also bought church fans to use a throws, which recognize our donors on the back.
One-quarter of the funds we have collected are being dedicated to the Diocese’s Community Mission Appeal. With this donation of nearly $700, we are saying “We love and support our church.” Now is a time for the church to show how that love and support reach toward every direction. March with us on Saturday.
The Pride Parade begins on Elysian Fields near Washington Square Park in the Marigny and then winds through the French Quarter on Saturday, June 18th beginning at 7:00 pm. Additional information can be found here. For updates on route, time, location, and other logistics, check Integrity’s Facebook page.