This year has been exhausting.
From U.S. Supreme Court decisions that demonstrate how the accepted modes of society can quickly disintegrate to Mother Gaia’s unmistakable temper as presented through the impact of rising temperatures and unusual extremes.
When life presents tests, trauma, and turmoil, it is far too easy to give up, to return to the safety of the broom closet (or your religious equivalent), or worse, the sexual closet for those who claim their place along the LGBTQ+ path. We can revert to the comfort of blending in, if or when we can. Or we can remember the lessons we have used for many years or decades. We can choose to turn to and walk with the Gods.
In the height of summer, when Pagan, Heathen, and polytheist folk gather to renew ties of friendship and to add new names to the roster of those in our lives who will support us, there is a tinge of sadness. This summer, Supreme Court decision 303 Creative vs. Elenis marks the end or perhaps the continuation of attempts to erase those who do not adhere to a strict cis/heterosexual norm. Religious free speech means more than acknowledgement of our LGBTQ+ as a protected class. The saddest part of this decision includes the reality that the individual mentioned as being the reason for the lawsuit is a married, straight male web-designer, who never contacted the plaintiff.
Gay flag on sky background
The irony of this decision coming down as many jurisdictions celebrated the end of a wonderful Pride month, filled with parades, flags, and rainbow love hit the community like a lance slicing through soft flesh. I was in Denver when the decision came down at While the fireworks and rainbow flags at the end of the day were appreciated, the shock and the pain was devastating.
The keynote speaker at the Golden Crown Literary Society‘s Goldie awards for Sapphic writing, Lynn Ames reminded the audience of beautiful trans, non-binary, lesbian, queer individuals and allies what the cost of doing nothing can bring. She reminded the audience of how for each step forward in progress, there is whiplash and movement backward.
We are in that time. We have been in that time for a bit now. Some might blame the previous administration; others will see the long game played of using strategy to place judicial appointees into Federal positions or individuals through networking into clerkships which might eventually lead to positions of power. Remember, before the Supreme Court with its nine justices, there are federal circuit courts and other lower courts that wield just as much power, if not more when you look at the entire spectrum of the legal system in the United States.
She reminded those who are in their twenties and thirties currently how each of us can participate. [link here]. Leaving books in an Uber after your ride or in a waiting room or a Free Library, or someplace where people might not expect it, but certainly would need to see it is a welcoming gesture.
The reality I learned from hearing that wonderful speech at the GCLS is that we all play a part in making our world whole. For several short days, I felt safe and comfortable in an atmosphere where my queer and trans and non-binary friends did not have to worry about harm, violence or mistreatment. The hotel went out of their way to provide a strong welcome.
I saw more bisexuals who were not only out as bisexuals but who were comfortable participating with that label and without the need to hide.
As a group, the LGBTQ community has massive purchasing power. We can and should use it to shape the society and the areas in which we live,.
While it is easier now to come out as “gay” or “lesbian ” or “queer”, it is probably because many of us have or know someone in our family or our friend groups who is a card-carrying member of the LGBTQ+ community. When you think of Aunt Sally and realize that Aunt Michelle is really her partner of 35 years, you back away from wanting to do harm by supporting laws or policies that will hurt your family.
While you might be sexually attracted to the opposite sex and gender wise, you are sticking with what is on your birth certificate, if you know that your friends, your colleagues at work, your neighbors, and your family are part of the rainbow tribe, you are more supportive with love.
We all want love in our lives, and at some point, we are raised with the teachings and knowledge that the love we wish to receive first means we need to choose to give love to others.
The Wild Hunt as a paper reports on issues in our wider community. Columnists give opinions. My opinion is that now, more than ever, we need to band together for the rights of all. If you are in the Pagan, Heathen, or polytheist community, you almost certainly know someone who is LGBTQ+. You certainly know of folks who are impacted by the Supreme Court decision to strike down the Student Loan Relief program that would have assisted many who are burned with tens of thousands of dollars of debt that can never be cancelled even through bankruptcy. You probably know of those who are impacted currently or will be very shortly by the Supreme Court’s ruling against Affirmative Action. Each of these decisions hits a large swath of the population.
While the audience for the Wild Hunt is international, I never know who might read this and pass it on to someone who can use it. Someone in hiding in their home or area who needs to know that they are not alone as a Pagan, Heathen, or polytheist who also happens to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or who happens to be struggling under debt to the point that family choices and life choices are impacted, or who happens to be a person of color.
The stark reality of the Supreme Court case if cases can now be decided with false or misleading information, as a society, we have reason to be even more on alert to issues and government actions that affect the whole more than the one. For example, having lived in the state of Ohio for well over a decade, one clear memory I retain regarding politics is how strongly all parties compete to win anyone’s vote. So I was saddened to learn that vote regarding an amendment which will determine how the state constitution in Ohio will be changed will be on the ballot – in August. For many, August is the last gasp of summer’s vacation breath for individuals and families. It is when we divide our time among the many last minute tasks we seek to finish before we race back to the start of the school year or when new projects for companies start.
Summer is not the time for serious matters – usually. Yet, someone with a ton of smarts is attempting to slide a voter choice through by holding it during an election that fewer people will attend in general as it is being held in August. As a political strategy, I applaud their inventiveness. As a fellow human being, I abhor their choice to change the rights for millions of Ohioans who will learn only too late that the “summer vote” meant more this year than it would otherwise.
We walk with the gods when we choose to inform ourselves, our friends, family, and community. While it may not be safe to worship outdoors openly in certain areas, choose to go to festivals where numbers matter. Choose to exercise not only your right to vote, but your right to be present.
One key denominator that I have noticed about what is said regarding the Pagan, Heathen, polytheist communities and the LGBTQ+ communities is the attitude that it is a “choice,” a “fad”, something that an individual will just “get over”. The sad reality is that that for so many, we are who we are. We only want to be open to fully embrace and live as ourselves.
The older members of our community, the elders, the sages, the crones, the mothers – listen to their wisdom. Pair with them to imbibe and then pass on the teachings and wisdom. So many of our people have been in the closet for so long. If things are getting rough again (and for some, this is happening now), have a plan. Find allies. Many of us belong to multiple communities. This is when we build, re-build, and walk with the Gods to create a strong defense.
No one wants to return to the closet. To do otherwise, we need to weave strong armor that will resist the weapons of our enemy, whether they be political, legal, or community directed.
We need the reminder that this cycle has happened before for so many groups who are fighting for rights. In just over a year, rights considered sacrosanct are now halcyon memories for some and wishful thinking for others. I grew up with the right to have an abortion – a right that allowed nearly two generations of women in the United States to safely navigate life. Pregnancy is one event that can and does change the course of multiple lives, starting with the one who is pregnant. In a country where wealth, power, and privilege dictates societal position, pregnancy is another common denominator that changes outcomes.
In a society where free speech and protected sexual orientation flourished as a bedrock, the sudden removal of one in favor of the other is a call to action.
We cannot dive back into the closet of silence and perceived acquiescence. We gather our tools, the gems that make us whole – our work and foundations as Pagans, Heathens, and polytheists.
Ultimately, we see life through the lenses of our own eyes and those of our brethren. Let’s make it rainbow because we all know someone, perhaps many someones who walk a path in our communities. These friends, family members, neighbors, strangers who are just friends we haven’t met who truly need encouragement. We all need to know that we are not alone. Perhaps you are one who sees recent events as understandably frightening or a sign that you need to take care of business by going into hiding.
For all of the joy that so many experience during the many festivals and rites that dot the landscape throughout spring and summer, we know reality is not always delightfully sweet. Those who are against the LGBTQ+ community or people of color who do not look like them, or people who worship differently than them will continue to exist.
I see the rainbow flag as a symbol of hope. Yes, it is the Pride flag, but it is a reminder of resilience. Rainbows come out after a storm when the world appears new, dewy, and refreshed. As a society, we may be traveling down a local cosmic highway of pothole craters, but the construction road crew is just ahead. We keep hope alive by doing and creating community with like-minded others instead of splintering into minute groups.
Put on the rainbow shades to see the world in its true colors – all of its colors. You are not alone. We are a community. We walk together even when we have never met in person. Reach out. If it is not physically possible to meet in person, meet online. Put extra effort into weaving connections with others in our community. The Gods live within us, and when we connect, the Gods are present. When we walk with each other, however we choose to share with each other, the Gods walk with us.
We must stay true to our path and gather those who are like minded. The unrest is here. As we walk with the gods or elementals, or however we worship, we strengthen our community. We strengthen our home.
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