Just a few years ago M&S turned their BLT sandwich into an LGBT sandwich. Converse made Pride-themed shoes. Skittles released an all-white bag of sweets declaring "this month, only one rainbow matters." Even Lego made newly coloured rainbow blocks.
Just about every business jumped onboard and went loud and ‘proud’. The social pressure to attend Pride marches, wear a rainbow, and post something in support online was immense.
We’re in June, which means it’s Pride month again, but this year, you might not have noticed. The reason is simple: Pride isn’t profitable anymore.
Funding for the New York Pride Parade, historically one of the biggest in the world, has dropped by over a million dollars in the past couple years. Celebrating Pride used to boost brand loyalty, generate good press, and drive sales. But the culture has shifted and so has corporate “allyship.” Some businesses have been exposed for what their praise and support really was: a marketing plan. It didn’t have anything to do with deeply held beliefs or values or genuine care for a group of people.
As Christians, we must examine ourselves because we face the same temptation and many have given in to that temptation by changing our theology to fit in, by being swayed by the voices around us and seeking the path of least resistance. Just as companies have been exposed when their support disappeared the moment it ceased to be profitable. We too should examine the motives behind our convictions.
When we shift our beliefs to align with culture, we will equally be exposed, either now or at the end of days. A change in theology driven by a desire for comfort and approval was never about loving a community of people. It was always about us, our image and popularity.
As Christians, we must examine ourselves because we face the same temptation and many have given in to that temptation.”
This isn’t merely a theoretical issue. Before I became a Christian, I came out as a lesbian and was in a relationship with a woman. I thought Christians were homophobic, backwards, and nonsensical.
Then I encountered Jesus for myself.
My story isn’t a “God made me straight” story. God taught me how to live for Him, and I’ve found that His way really is the best way. It has led to more life, peace, and joy than I ever experienced living in the way I thought was best for me.
The Christians who made the most difference in my life were not the ones who softened the gospel to make me comfortable. They were the ones who loved me enough to stay faithful, teaching the fullness of the gospel – including the parts that challenged me – and helped me to see the invitation of Jesus for my life in it.
Following Jesus has never been about suppressing desire; it has always been about trusting Him with every part of our lives. The Christian vision for sexuality is not that people who experience same sex attraction should become straight and get on with it. The Christian vision for sexuality is submission and obedience to the way of Jesus. The call for every human being, whatever their temptations, is to live in obedience to God, submitting every area of life, including sexuality, to the Lordship of Jesus. For some that means being single and celibate, for others, marriage between one man and one woman for life.
The Christians who made the most difference in my life were not the ones who softened the gospel to make me comfortable.”
We believe every human being bears the image of God and is immensely valuable. We also all fall short of the glory of God. We all sin and there is no hierarchy of sin, so no one is beyond the reach of grace. In a month, when some corporate support for LGBT people has been exposed as little more than a marketing tactic, our consistent, faithful gospel witness and love is needed more than ever.
No one is too far to be reached by Jesus.
That is why Christians need both conviction and compassion: a clear understanding of God’s design and a genuine love for the people around us.
If you’d like to explore these issues more deeply, take a look at our Relationships Matter course, a seven-part small group video series and supporting resources, to help you develop a theological and pastoral framework to love the people in your life, church and community who experience same-sex attraction. You can find out more about it below.
