Hope is Political
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Jun Yang: "'Together Stronger' represents Harvey's love, passion and positive energy. As a gay artist, Harvey Milk has been a role model for me to stand up for equality, and has been an encouragement to share love and compassion to everyone in this community. Instagram: @junartshop
INVOCATION
Spirit, open our hearts to listen with open acceptance waiting in our hearts.
CLOUD OF WITNESS
An Excerpt from Harvey Milk’s “Give Them Hope” Speech
The only thing [young gay people] have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.
So if there is a message I have to give, it is that I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope.
A WORD OF HOPE
Our hope is political.
CALL & RESPONSE
I can be killed with ease. I can be cut right down. But I cannot fall back into my closet. I have grown. I am not myself. I am too many. I am all of us.—Harvey Milk
Call:
Our LGBTQIA children can be killed with ease.
Response:
I am not myself.
I am too many.
I am all of us.
Call:
Our LGBTQIA children can be cut right down.
Response:
I am not myself.
I am too many.
I am all of us.
Call:
LGBTQIA children cannot fall back into closets.
Response:
I am not myself.
I am too many.
I am all of us.
Call:
We MUST grow.
Response:
I am not myself.
I am too many.
I am all of us.
CANTICLE
Though the “world’s reigning male chorus” isn’t a gay choir, Chanticleer was founded in 1978 and has always comprised a dozen singers—both gay and straight men harmonizing in a cappella.
BENEDICTION
May all be well—and may all be welcomed.
“I am too many; I am all of us.”
Chills.