Choral Reading
By Rev. Mike Quayle
PRIDE Sunday
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
Growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1969
The Stonewall riots transform the gay
rights movement. Patrons at the
Stonewall Inn fight back during a
police raid, sparking three days of
riots and giving birth to a movement.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
Growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1973
The American Psychiatric Association
removes homosexuality from its
official list of mental disorders.
Starting Quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
Growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1978
Harvey Milk is assassinated in
San Francisco, California due to
his support for GLBT persons and
his advocacy for other minorities.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1982
Wisconsin becomes the first state
to outlaw discrimination based
on sexual orientation.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1988
Rebecca Wright and her partner,
Claudia Brenner, were shot
while camping along the Appalachian
Trail. The shooter was enraged
because of their perceived
lesbianism.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
Growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1993
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” becomes the
official policy of the US military
leading to the discharge of
thousands of men and women
serving proudly.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
Hearts of the oppressed;
Growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1995
Roxanne Ellis and Michelle Abdill, a lesbian
couple in Oregon, were murdered by a
man who said, “he had no compassion
for bisexual or homosexual people.”
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land.
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1998
Matthew Sephard, a gay student, was
tortured, beaten, tied to a fence, and
abandoned. He hung there for 18 hours
before being found and died less than a
week later.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
1999
U.S. Army Pfc. Barry Winchell, was
murdered after rumors spread on
base in Ft. Campbell Kentucky over
his relationship with transgendered
Calpernia Addams.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
spreading throughout the land;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
2000
Vermont becomes the first state
to legalize civil unions.
Ronald Gay enters a bar in Roanoke
and opens fire on patrons. He claimed he
had been told by God to find and kill
lesbians and gay men.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
The arc of the uinverse bends
toward justice.
2003
Nireah Johnson and Brandie Coleman
were shot to death after Paul Moore
found out that Nireah was transgender. He
then burned the bodies of the victims.
2004
Same-sex marriage becomes legal in
Massachusetts
2005
Civil unions become legal in Connecticut
and, in 2006, unions become legal in
New Jersey.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
2007
Andrew Anthos, a 72 year old, disabled gay
man, was beaten to death with a lead pipe
by a man shouting anti-gay slurs.
The US House of Representatives
approves a bill ensuring equal rights for
gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.
2008
In May, the California Supreme Court
rules that same-sex couples have the right
to marry, in November, voters pass a
ban that overturned the court’s ruling.
In October, the Supreme Court of
Connecticut rules that same-sex
couples have the right ot marry.
Two persons were killed and several
injured when during the worship service
of Tennesseee Valley Unitarian Universalist
Church, a man began shooting and later
said he disliked the congregations support
of gays and liberal causes.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
2009
Iowa approves same- sex marriages.
Vermont approves same-sex marriages.
New Hampshire approves same-sex
marriages.
Seaman August Provost was shot and his
body burned at his guard post on
Camp Pendleton. Military leaders
concluded that the “Don’t ask-Don’t Tell” policy
prevented Provost from seeking help and
protection.
President Obama posthumously awards
Harvey Milk the Presidential Medal of
Honor.
Starting quietly, stirring deep in the
hearts of those oppressed;
growing louder, catching fire;
The arc of the universe bends
toward justice.
2010
The U.S. Congress approves a law that
allows same-sex marriage in the District of
Columbia.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker rules
that California’s ban on same-sex marriage
is unconstitutional and violates the 14th
Amendment of the Constitution.
STARTING QUIETLY, STIRRING DEEP IN THE
HEARTS OF THOSE OPPRESSED;
GROWING LOUDER, CATCHING FIRE;
THE ARC OF THE UNIVERSE BENDS
TOWARD JUSTICE.
2011
The State of New York passes a law
that allows same-sex couples to marry.
New York is the largest state to pass such
a law.
Friday July 22,
US president Obama signs
Into law the official end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tellâ€
Allowing men and women to serve
Openly in the US Military.
Unitarian Universalists from all over
gather in Charlotte, North Carolina to
rally for GLBT equal rights and to “Stand on
The Side of Love.”
Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists
Gather today for the 5th annual “Pride in the
Park Celebration.
STARTING QUIETLY, STIRRING DEEP IN THE
HEARTS OF THOSE OPPRESSED;
GROWING LOUDER, CATCHING FIRE;
THE ARC OF THE UNIVERSE BENDS
TOWARD JUSTICE.
STARTING QUIETLY, STIRRING DEEP IN THE
HEARTS OF THOSE OPPRESSED;
GROWING LOUDER, CATCHING FIRE;
THE ARC OF THE UNIVERSE BENDS
TOWARD JUSTICE.